Isner hands Federer rare Davis Cup loss, gives Americans 2-0 lead in Switzerland

By Chris Chase

Roger Federer looked like he wanted to be anywhere else in the world. Once he saw how good John Isner looked, he played like it too.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion was playing in a first-round Davis Cup tie for the first time in eight years and was doing so in front of his hometown fans in Firbourg, Switzerland. But a fast, sloppy clay surface left him frustrated before the match and Isner's powerful serve kept him that way during it, leading to a stunning four-set, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory for the American.

It was the first time Federer had lost to an American on clay since 1999 and his first Davis Cup loss in 15 matches.

Isner's win gave the United States a 2-0 lead in the opening-round tie. Earlier in the day, Mardy Fish outlasted Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets, winning 9-7 in the last. The Americans are playing without an injured Andy Roddick and Mike Bryan, who is back in the States caring for his newborn daughter.

Federer got a break early in the first set and cruised to a 6-4 win. Despite 12 more break chances in the match, the world No. 3 wouldn't get another. Isner's serve was predictably solid, but he won the match on his passing shots and at the net. The uneven surface allowed the American to get behind shots and change angles, crossing up Federer countless times during their match.

The final two points of the match captured the overall tenor of play. On two Federer second serves, Isner took a step inside the baseline and unleashed a crosscourt return backhand that Federer barely reached for.

"It's the biggest win of my life, that's for sure," Isner said after the match. "But what it means to me is that our team is up 2-0."

Saturday's doubles match is scheduled to pit Federer and Wawrinka against Fish and Ryan Harrison.

Mike Bryan and Mardy Fish clinch the first round of the Davis Cup 3-0 with a win in Switzerland. They combine to defeat Federer and Wawrinka in today's doubles match It took the Americans just four sets to give Federer his second loss in as many days.

The temporary red clay court installed in Fribourg was the worst court I can ever recall. Bad bounces were significant throughout the tie with Federer actually whiffing on several shots. The guy that was responsible for that court will soon be publically executed in the coming days. Those Swiss are such a violent people.

Harrison, Isner complete US rout of Switzerland

FRIBOURG, Switzerland (WTW) — The United States completed its 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the first round of the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning the closing singles matches.

Harrison made his Davis Cup debut, defeating Michael Lammer 7-6 (0), 7-6 (4) to extend the Americans' lead to 4-0. Isner, who stunned Roger Federer in four sets Friday, then beat Marco Chuidinelli 6-3, 6-4 to give the U.S. its first sweep since a 2004 first-round series against Austria.

"It was really exciting to be out there," Harrison said. "To be part of this week was a huge experience."

The U.S. will play at France in the April 6-8 quarterfinals. In other pairings, it's: Argentina vs. Croatia, Austria vs. Spain and Czech Republic vs. Serbia.

Harrison was selected by captain Jim Courier after the U.S. sealed its victory Saturday, when Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan beat Olympic doubles champions Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka. Federer and Fish had been scheduled to meet in Sunday's first match.

Courier praised Harrison's maturity and all-around game.

"You see the weapons. He has got a lot of upside and I look forward to sitting on the bench and watching it firsthand," Courier said. "This was a great experience for Ryan and for me."

Harrison, ranked 95th, dominated the first-set tiebreaker against the 251st-ranked Lammer with volley winners and strong serves, clinching it with a powerful passing shot.

"I got the first point off and that was pretty big. After that, it just kind of flowed," Harrison said.

Courier, a Davis Cup and four-time Grand Slam winner, suggested the 17th-ranked Isner is on the verge of a career breakthrough.

"I learned that John can beat anyone at any time, because no one has a chance if he plays the way he plays, and serves the way he serves, unless they play incredible defensive tennis," Courier said.

Isner cruised against Chiudinelli, the 190th-ranked childhood friend of Federer, and served his ninth ace on match point.

"I definitely played top-notch tennis this weekend in tricky conditions -- in Europe, in February, on clay," Isner said. "No matter the surface, no matter the opponent, a lot of times the ball, the point, the match is going to be in my control."

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