11 Feb 2012

Isner stuns Swiss Maestro in Davis Cup

4:37 pm on 11 February 2012

John Isner spoiled a rare appearance by Roger Federer in the Davis Cup when he stunned the Swiss star 4-6 6-3 7-6 6-2 to give the United States a 2-0 lead in their World Group first-round tie in Fribourg.

Mardy Fish had earlier edged Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets as Switzerland's bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004 got off to the worst possible start.

Big-serving Isner, ranked 17th in the world, had lost his two previous meetings with former world number one Federer, both on hardcourts, but he silenced the home crowd with an efficient performance on the clay at the Forum Fribourg.

The winners of the tie will play away against Canada or France in the quarter-finals.