Federer draws Swiss level with Australia

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer swept past big-serving Mark Philippoussis on Friday to haul Switzerland level 1-1 in their Davis Cup semi-final against Australia. Runner-up to Federer at Wimbledon in July, Philippoussis’s key weapon deserted him at Melbourne Park as the Swiss broke serve five times in his 6-3, 6-4 ,7-6 victory, prompting visiting fans to jangle cow bells in the stands.

Australia’s former world number one Lleyton Hewitt had earlier given Australia the perfect start to the tie with a 6-4, 6-4 ,6-1 win over Michel Kratochvil.

MALAGA: Carlos Moya took full advantage of an injury to Argentine Mariano Zabaleta on Friday to hit back from two sets down, claim a 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 6-1 victory and take Spain to the brink of a place in the Davis Cup final. Spain made a perfect start to the semi-final, as Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Gaston Gaudio 6-4, 6-0, 6-0 on the specially constructed clay court at the Jose Maria Martin Carpena stadium in Malaga.

(The winner of this semis will face either Australia or Switzerland)