Switzerland exit top tier of Davis Cup
Switzerland have been relegated from the tennis Davis Cup World Group after losing 3:0 to Kazakhstan in the playoffs.
The Swiss team suffered a third and decisive defeat during Saturday’s doubles match. Stanislas Wawrinka and Yves Allegro lost 4-6, 3-6, 3-6 to Kazakhstan’s Andrey Golubev and Yuri Schukin.
During the one hour and 48 minute match Allegro made eight double faults, three in the first game alone, and lost his first four service games.
The loss followed two singles defeats on Friday in Astana. Roger Federer had earlier withdrawn from the tournament, citing fatigue from the US Open.
After losing 4-1 to Spain in the first round in March Switzerland would have had to win three of five matches this weekend to remain in the 16-team World Group elite.
Switzerland now return to Europe/Africa zone Group 1 in 2011.
It is the fourth time that Switzerland has exited the World Group in 20 years and the first time Kazakhstan has secured a place in the group.
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