Stanislas Wawrinka and Roger Federer will be spearheading the Swiss charge this weekend in Geneva where they take on Kazakhstan in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.
The star duo are trying to win Switzerland their first Davis Cup, with the nation’s best showing coming in 1992 when the Swiss team finished as runners-up.
The third-ranked Wawrinka and fourth-ranked Federer teamed up in the first round in February to defeat Serbia in Novi Sad while Kazakhstan made the quarters after taking out Belgium in Astana.
The Kazakhs have won their only previous meeting against Switzerland, when they claimed a 5-0 whitewash in 2011.Wawrinka and Federer will be joined by veteran Marco Chiudinelli and 22-year-old Henri Laaksonen in a squad captained by Federer’s coach Severin Luthi.
Playing their first quarter-final in 10 years, the Swiss are hoping to capitalise on their home advantage this weekend and make the semis for the first time since 2003.
Meanwhile Japan’s hopes of making the semis were dealt a major blow when their No1 Kei Nishikori was forced to pull out from their tie against holders Czech Republic in Tokyo because of a groin injury.
The 24-year-old aggravated the troubled area while beating Federer in Miami last week. Nishikori said yesterday he would not be fit to face the Czechs, who will be without world No5 Tomas Berdych.
“It’s such a disappointment,” said the 18th-ranked Nishikori. “With the home-court advantage I really wanted to play in Japan’s first quarter-final, which I do think we had a chance of winning. But the prognosis wasn’t good so unfortunately I can’t play.”
Over in Naples, Andy Murray is looking to revive Great Britain’s Cup glory days as he headlines a squad set for a tricky tie against an Italian team headlined by Fabio Fognini and Andreas Seppi on clay.
The Brits are in the quarters for the first time since 1986 after upsetting the United States in San Diego.
Meanwhile, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils will be targeting a home win over Germany in Nancy.
