Federer retains Switzerland's World Group status

Roger Federer beat Robin Haase emphatically as 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 to put Switzerland 3-1 up against Netherlands and secure his country’s place in next year’s World Group of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas.

Federer has a 32-7 mark in singles rubbers since his debut in 1999.

Any Dutch hopes that Haase might be able to build on Saturday’s impressive doubles victory over Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka appeared to be dashed from the get go. Federer broke the Haase serve at the first opportunity and went up 3-0 in a matter of minutes. A completely one-sided affair it was not; Haase had a break point in the third game and three consecutive break points at 4-1, only to see Federer blasting five big first serves to go 5-1 up, then taking the set as 6-1.

“The first set actually on the score looks the easiest but could have been one of the tougher ones”, Federer said. “The result doesn’t always show how tough it was. But I was in control most of the time.”

The third game of the second set saw Federer breaking Haase’s serve. The Dutchman got two chances to break back immediately, but again Federer's serve got him out of jail. And that seemed to be that. From that point, the home crowd seemed content enjoying the silky skills of the world No. 1, with a brilliant half volley crosscourt dink to go up 4-2 standing out in particular – cue several oohs and aahs. Federer held onto the break to take the second set as 6-4.

A slight lapse of concentration gifted Haase a breakpoint early in the third - but once again, Federer came to his own rescue with a monster second serve that drew a Haase error. Federer then broke Haase's serve in the fifth game and cruised to a comfortable victory.

Haase said he hadn’t played his best tennis, which was necessary if he was to have any chance at all in his first match against Federer.

So what was it like playing him? “Incredibly difficult. It’s the spin and speed he puts on the ball that stand out. I can hit a ball ten centimetres from his baseline and he gets it back deep into my court, with no trouble at all. When he hits the ball ten centimetres from my baseline, it’s a totally different shot and I’m barely able to keep the ball in play."

“It’s a joy to watch, really. Unless it’s you on the court.” said Haase.



The Securitas Swiss Davis Cup Team meets the Swiss Supporters after their victory over the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka and Severin Luthi express their thanks to the fans, the whole team sings the Fan song and signs autographs.

Date: 16th September 2012, Source: Davis Cup