LILLE: Roger Federer was the toast of Switzerland once again on Sunday as he applied the final touches to his country’s first ever Davis Cup win.
But he was quick to deflect the spotlight onto team-mate Stan Wawrinka, who did not even hit a shot in anger on the last day, as the French were vanquished in double-quick time in Lille.
“It’s Stan who put us in this great position for Sunday,” he said turning to his countryman and insisting “You did!” as Wawrinka shook his head.
The Australian Open champion, who has spent years playing in the giant shadow of the man many consider to be the greatest of all time, was the outstanding performer in Lille.
Firstly he defeated French number one Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to set the tone of the final on Friday and then he was the inspiration as he and Federer won the doubles to move 2-1 up on Saturday.
All that was left was for Federer to defeat Richard Gasquet in the first of the reverse singles and that he did in three rapid sets setting off Swiss celebrations.
It was all a long way from a week before when the two Swiss stars argued near the end of a tough three-setter semi-final of the ATP Tour finals in London and Federer hurt his back in winning.
The French meanwhile had enjoyed a stress-free, two-week spell away from it all practicing on clay down in Bordeaux.
All was in place for France to win the Davis Cup for the 10th time, but with Federer in doubt, Wawrinka stepped up to the plate, saying that the French were all words.
“At the end what I meant was that they were talking too much about it, I mean, it was just my opinion. Everyone does the way they want to do,” he said.
“In the end we spoke with our racquets on the court. That is the explanation of the result. We were better during this weekend.
“We saw how fast things could turn around. In the beginning of the week many things were written about me and Roger, Roger’s back.
“The French team said they were ready to go to war, if I can quote them.
“What happened was totally the opposite. We just stayed calm and prepared well. We did our best on the court. We can be proud of that,” he said.
REUTERS
