Switzerland placed in the 2012 Davis Cup World Group

Stanislas Wawrinka earned Switzerland’s place in the 2012 Davis Cup World Group when he returned Monday to complete a 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-3 victory over Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt at the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Wawrinka had been leading Hewitt 5-3 in the fifth set after almost four hours of play, when bad light suspended the tie-deciding rubber on Sunday evening. Hewitt had saved four set points in the fourth-set tie-break at 3-6 and 6-7. Wawrinka broke Hewitt's serve for the fourth time in the match at 2-2 in the fifth set.

At the resumption at 11 a.m. local time Monday, Hewitt squandered a 30/0 lead on serve, including committing two double faults, and Wawrinka reeled off four straight points to clinch victory before celebrating with his teammates, including Roger Federer who was courtside. The 26 year old improved to a 14-10 Davis Cup singles record, while Hewitt suffered only his 11th defeat in 48 Davis Cup singles matches.


On Sunday, Swiss No. 1 Federer had levelled the play-off tie at 2-2 with a 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win over Australian Bernard Tomic. Federer, who hit 15 aces and 61 winners, has a 30-6 singles record in the competition.

Date: 19.09.2011