Federer Draws Swiss Level In Play-Off Tie; Czechs Dominate In Bucharest

© AFP/Getty ImagesSwiss Roger Federer has a 40-11 overall Davis Cup record.

AUSTRALIA 1, SWITZERLAND 1
Roger Federer recorded his 40th Davis Cup rubber win for Switzerland on Friday in Sydney, when he beat fellow former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-3 to level the World Group play-off tie at 1-1. Federer, who hit 22 winners for victory in two hours and 50 minutes, has a 40-11 record in the international teams' competition (29-6 in singles).

Federer, who arrived in Sydney on Wednesday after reaching the US Open semi-finals, admitted, "It's been a long trip for sure. This was a different type of challenge playing Australia which has such a great Davis Cup tradition. It's nice to see Lleyton, who's the same age, still playing as well."

Earlier in the day, World No. 59 Bernard Tomic extended his unbeaten record to 4-0 for Australia. The 18-year-old Gold Coast resident defeated No. 19-ranked Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 on the grass of the Royal Sydney Golf Club. "In the first set I was [nervous]," said Tomic. "Having Roger watch you is difficult. It's a bit difficult when you look up to your idol. But it's a good thing I got the team off to a good start."

Watch Live Ties and Match Highlights

ROMANIA 0, CZECH REPUBLIC 2
World No. 9 Tomas Berdych and 32-year-old Radek Stepanek have given the Czech Republic a 2-0 lead in Bucharest. Stepanek converted six of seven break point opportunities to beat Adrian Ungur 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 in one hour and 45 minutes, while Berdych hit 46 winners past Victor Crivoi in a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(4) win in two hours and 35 minutes. Bucharest hosts the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy next week.

SOUTH AFRICA 1, CROATIA 1
Kevin Anderson hit 48 winners and was full of confidence in a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5) win over Ivan Dodig of Croatia in the opening singles rubber of the tie at Potchefstroom. Both players dropped three points on their serves in the fourth set, but Dodig committed five more unforced errors (25) than Anderson, who improved to 8-1 in singles rubbers. Marin Cilic drew Croatia level, having won the first two sets 6-0, 6-0 in 51 minutes, when Izak van der Merwe retired with a wrist injury.

JAPAN 2, INDIA 0
Kei Nishikori and Yuichi Sugita have given Japan a 2-0 lead over India on Friday in Tokyo. Sugita won his first live singles rubber in four-and-a-half years, with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory over Indian Somdev Devvarman, while Nishikori swept past Rohan Bopanna 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 38 minutes.

RUSSIA 1, BRAZIL 1
Two-time titlist Russia got off to a perfect start in Kazan Friday, when Mikhail Youzhny dropped just 15 points on serve to beat Brazilian Ricardo Mello 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 in just over 90 minutes. But World No. 38 Thomaz Bellucci levelled the tie with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Igor Andreev. Russia has been present in the top tier since 1993.

ISRAEL 1, CANADA 1
Vasek Pospisil outlasted Dudi Sela 7-6(4), 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-3 in a marathon four hour and 56 minute opening rubber to give Canada a 1-0 lead over Israel. Amir Weintraub, appearing in just his second career rubber, notched his first victory against a Top 100 opponent, upsetting rusty World No. 31 Milos Raonic 5-7, 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 to even the tie at 1-1. Raonic was in action for the first time since suffering a hip injury in the second round of Wimbledon in June.

CHILE 0, ITALY 2
Visiting Italy moved ahead 2-0 against Chile in Santiago after Potito Starace defeated Paul Capdeville 6-3, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(5) and Fabio Fognini led Fernando Gonzalez 6-2, 4-6, 2-1 before the Chilean retired with an adductor injury.

BELGIUM 1, AUSTRIA 1
Austria and Belgium drew level at 1-1 after lower-ranked players secured victories for their nations. Austria's Andreas Haider-Maurer, ranked 77th, dismissed World No. 46 Xavier Malisse 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, while 93rd-ranked Steve Darcis surprised World No. 21 Jurgen Melzer 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3.