Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka reunite this weekend armed with a familiar accomplice.
The former Olympic gold-medal winning doubles partners, who squared off in the US Open semifinals last week, are scheduled to play singles and partner in doubles when Switzerland hosts the Netherlands in this weekend's Davis Cup World Group Playoff tie in Geneva.
Roland Garros champion Wawrinka opens the tie against Thiemo de Bakker. Federer will play world No. 436 Jesse Huta Galung in the second singles match on Friday. Federer and Wawrinka are scheduled to play doubles against Matwe Middelkoop and Tim van Rijthoven on Saturday.
Video: Murray vs. Kokkinakis Opens Davis Cup Semifinals
In an effort to minimize the transition from conditions in New York to Geneva, the Swiss opted for the same Wilson ball used at the US Open.
“People don’t realize, they think it’s just about the surface [change] or whether it’s indoors or outdoors, but actually the balls play a big part in it," Federer told Davis Cup.com. It was the idea of Stan, myself and Severin (Luthi) to decide to play with the same balls as at the US Open. Maybe it flies a little bit more here—it’s a bit more altitude than in New York—but the surface speed is kind of similar. It’s indoors but then again the US Open was not windy at all so from that standpoint it isn’t much of a change.”
Federer is in high spirits ahead of his first Davis Cup match since he defeated Richard Gasquet in Lille last November to clinch Switzerland's first Davis Cup championship with a 3-1 victory over host France.
“I just think I’m playing consistently very well right now,” he said “I’ve good energy, good focus, I’m really enjoying myself and for me, personally, it’s nice that it’s showing in results.”
Photo credit: Corinne Dubreuil/Davis Cup