Davis Cup final: Switzerland nudges ahead with doubles win

Lille, Nov 23 (IANS/EFE) Superstar Swiss duo of Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka put their country ahead in the Davis Cup final with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over the French pair of Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau Saturday.

Federer and Wawrinka who had won the gold medal in men's doubles tennis at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, served well and were solid at the net and on the return, in the routine two-hour, 12-minute victory at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France.

Benneteau and Gasquet appeared out of sorts and the Swiss broke the French players' serve once in each set and saved all five break points they faced.

Federer shook off a back injury that had cast doubt on his participation in the Davis Cup final and appeared to hinder him in the loss to Gael Monfils Friday.

A Davis Cup title is one of the few feats that have eluded the Swiss ace Federer in his storied career.

Wawrinka had given Switzerland the lead by beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the opening singles match, before Gael Monfils restored parity by upsetting Federer.

Federer will have the first chance to clinch the title when he takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth rubber. If Tsonga can pull off a victory, Wawrinka will square off against Monfils for the Davis Cup crown, in the last match.

France is seeking its tenth Davis Cup championship, while Switzerland has never won the title before.

--IANS/EFE

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