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Isner shocks Federer in Davis Cup

John Isner claimed the “biggest win” of his life as he saw off Roger Federer to win the USA the lead in their Davis Cup tie against Switzerland.

Playing for his country in the Davis Cup for he first time in eight years, Federer was the firm favourite to take the win and the point against Isner.

However, the American, who went onto court after Mardy Fish’s opening win, rallied back from a set down to beat the world number three 4-6 6-3 7-6 (4) 6-2 in Fribourg as America

“It’s the biggest win of my life,” Isner told the Davis Cup website. “But what it means to me is that our team’s up 2-0.

“Hats off to Mardy. It was an unbelievable match. It took a lot of pressure off me knowing at worst it was going to be tie at 1-1.

“I said earlier I shouldn’t take the court if I don’t believe I can go out and win this match.

“The way I played today is the way I need to play in all my matches.”

Isner’s win gave the United States a commanding 2-0 lead as earlier in the day Fish beat Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2 4-6 4-6 6-1 9-7 in a marathon four-hour-and-26-minute match that saw the momentum swing between both players.

Federer and Wawrinka have to defeat Mike Bryan and Ryan Harrison in Saturday’s doubles encounter in order for the tie to move into Sunday’s reverse singles matches.

Meanwhile, Serbia took a 2-0 lead over Sweden in Nis when Janko Tipsarevic beat Filip Prpic 6-3 6-3 6-4 and Viktor Troicki was a 6-4 6-3 5-7 6-3 winner over Michael Ryderstedt.

Serbia are without world number one Novak Djokovic, who is taking a break after his Australian Open victory, just as Spain do not have Rafael Nadal in their line-up this week.

However, that did not stop them from winnin both singles ties on Friday Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1 4-6 7-6 (7/2) 4-6 6-4 and Nicolas Almagro saw off Andrey Golubev 6-3 4-6 6-1 6-1.

Great Britain, who are without Andy Murray, this weekend are currently 1-1 with Slovakia in Glasgow as Dan Evans’ victory was cancelled out by James Ward’s defeat.