By Chris Oddo | Thursday, September 11, 2014

 

Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka will look to put Switzerland into its first Davis Cup final in 22 years this weekend in Geneva.

Photo Source: AP

Roger Federer was unable to convert two golden opportunities at Wimbledon and the US Open into his 18th Grand Slam title, but the Swiss legend will put that behind him this weekend as he hopes to lead Switzerland back to its first Davis Cup final since 1992.

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With the world No. 3 and 4 on the Swiss side in Geneva, the home nation will go into this tie with Italy as the heavy favorite, but a scrappy Italian team, led by world No. 15 Fabio Fognini will have the upset on their mind.

Though seemingly invincible on paper, the Swiss struggled mightily in their quarterfinal tie with Kazakhstan and were forced to rally from 2-1 after dropping the doubles. That they succeeded, however, should give them a lift when they meet Italy in the same arena with the same lofty expectations on their shoulders.

“We were able to stay calm under pressure when we were down 2-1,” said Federer. “It was big for us… I think we’re ready for the big occasion. We’re not going to shy away from it—we’re going to embrace it.”

Fognini says that the Swiss aren’t the only ones with expectations. He told reporters that winning this match and vaulting Italy into its first Davis Cup final since 1998 would be as important as when the country’s Fed Cup team wins the whole title (something they have done four times now). He may have been joking, but the Italians have proven to be a formidable Davis Cup team, and Fognini’s win over Andy Murray in Naples four months ago shows the type of performance he is capable of when playing for his country.

The Italians have chosen Simone Bolelli to face Roger Federer in Friday’s first rubber, while Fognini will take on Wawrinka in the second. Wawrinka struggled mightily in Kazakhstan, falling to Andrey Golubev in the first rubber and playing a poor doubles match on Saturday, and it will be interesting to see if he can overcome his nerves to play the type of tennis that has taken him to the Australian Open title and the top five.

“It’s for sure really important,” said Wawrinka. “I’m always proud to play for my country, it’s such an honor.”

Wawrinka knows he’ll face a big challenge in Fognini on Friday, but he says he’ll be ready.

“He’s a really talented player, he’s really dangerous, big forehand, great touch, knows the game well. It’s always difficult to play him, especially when he’s focused, 100 percent there, and motivated.”

The Italians hold a 3-2 edge against the Swiss, but they have lost the last two to Switzerland, in 1999 and in 2009.