NETHERLANDS, WON SWISS DAVIS CUP MATCH FROM FEDERER

 

GENEVA -

Roger Federer and late replacement Marco Chiudinelli missed a chance to seal Switzerland's victory in a Davis Cup relegation playoff on Saturday, losing a five-set doubles match to the Netherlands.

Dutch pair Thiemo De Bakker and Matwe Middelkoop rallied from a set down to win 7-6 (7), 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 after Federer's regular partner Stan Wawrinka scratched citing fatigue.

Switzerland leads 2-1 with second-ranked Federer due on court at Palexpo arena in the first of Sunday's reverse singles against No. 144 De Bakker.

If Federer loses, Wawrinka is scheduled to play 436th-ranked Jesse Huta Galung in a decisive fifth match.

The hard-court series decides which nation stays in the 16-team World Group next year.