Three games for Federer
Roger Federer will be kept busy during this weekend's Davis Cup tie against Russia, with the Swiss number one set to play two singles matches before joining Marc Rosset for the doubles.
Thursday’s draw in Moscow has pitted Federer (ATP 13) against Australian Open finalist Marat Safin (ATP 7) for Friday’s opening singles rubber. In Friday’s second singles match, Swiss number two Michel Kratochvil (ATP 43) will face Olympic gold medallist Yevgeny Kafelnikov (ATP 4).
Safin and Kafelnikov will then combine against Federer and Rosset in Saturday’s doubles.
Rosset’s selection alongside Federer marks the Genevan player’s first involvement in the Davis Cup doubles for almost three years. Saturday’s match will also see Rosset pairing up with Federer for the first time ever in the competition.
Sunday’s closing singles matches will be a reversal of Friday’s rubbers with Federer taking on Kafelnikov and Kratochvil playing Safin.
Switzerland coach Peter Carter has named Ivo Heuberger as team captain for the weekend, giving Heuberger responsibility for on-court advice. As an Australian national who is still waiting for his Swiss residency papers, Carter is not allowed to take on that role himself.
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