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Isner hands Federer rare Davis Cup loss, gives Americans 2-0 lead in Switzerland

By Chris Chase | Busted Racquet – Fri, Feb 10, 2012 3:15 PM EST

(Getty Images)Roger Federer looked like he wanted to be anywhere else in the world. Once he saw how good John Isner looked, he played like it too.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion was playing in a first-round Davis Cup tie for the first time in eight years and was doing so in front of his hometown fans in Firbourg, Switzerland. But a fast, sloppy clay surface left him frustrated before the match and Isner's powerful serve kept him that way during it, leading to a stunning four-set, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory for the American.

It was the first time Federer had lost to an American on clay since 1999 and his first Davis Cup loss in 15 matches.

Isner's win gave the United States a 2-0 lead in the opening-round tie. Earlier in the day, Mardy Fish outlasted Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets, winning 9-7 in the last. The Americans are playing without an injured Andy Roddick and Bob Bryan, who is back in the states caring for his newborn daughter.

Federer got a break early in the first set and cruised to a 6-4 win. Despite 12 more break chances in the match, the world No. 3 wouldn't get another. Isner's serve was predictably solid, but he won the match on his passing shots and at the net. The uneven surface allowed the American to get behind shots and change angles, crossing up Federer countless times during their match.

The final two points of the match captured the overall tenor of play. On two Federer second serves, Isner took a step inside the baseline and unleashed a crosscourt return backhand that Federer barely reached for.

"It's the biggest win of my life, that's for sure," Isner said after the match. "But what it means to me is that our team is up 2-0."

Saturday's doubles match is scheduled to pit Federer and Wawrinka against Fish and Ryan Harrison.

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250 comments

ZEUS • 3 months ago
Where is the WINNER's( Isner) photo,....Chis Chase
- popopa 3 months ago
  i believe that is him shaking Roger's hand
- Chuck M 3 months ago
  You have to fact check and do your own image searches for all Chris Chase blogs
- Herc 3 months ago
  Ugh, Chris Chase....
Ted • Gig Harbor, Washington • 3 months ago
Chase, Roger Federer is arguably the BEST player ever to walk the face of the earth. John Isner, by his OWN admission, just played the match of his life! Instead of taking a cheap shot at a great champion, why not give Isner some credit!!
John • Riverhead, New York • 3 months ago
Diehard Fed FAN,but not in this match! U S tennis NEEDS this! If they win w/o Roddick, and Bryan bros,confidence soars.Win it all,be like 1980 hockey!!
- Rufus 3 months ago
  Roddick ? Good thing Mister Cranky is sitting out, He is the 3rd seeded American now for a reason. If he was in there against Federer on clay the score would be 1-1 for sure
  
  Time for him to retire and chaperon his wife's modeling career who is now more famous that him. He would probably do better there than the tennis court going by his very forgettable past year's performance
s • 3 months ago
Isn't he the same guy who played the longest tennis match in the history and won it?
good good.
James • 3 months ago
Roger appears to be a scrawny little shrimp compared to that hulking behemoth!
- GoScience! 3 months ago
  Umm, the person you call "a scrawny shrimp" won 16 grand slams. How many has the "hulking behemoth" won? ZERO. Roger is unarguably one of the all-time best players. Period.
- Augustus 3 months ago
  Being big does not translate to being good, in tennis. I didn't see the match, but I assume Federer was not into it mentally, considering he has slid into third in the world. The most surprising thing to me, is that he beat him on clay. American's haven't been able to win on clay for years. I give anybody huge credit for beating Federer, but Isner's size is a liability for him, not an asset. You want to be around 6'1, or 6'2.
- James 3 months ago
  The big kid will probably burn out, I know, like they do have their day in the sun on occasion, though. The real pros endure for many, many, eons of time.
Sidi • 3 months ago
Once he saw how good John Isner looked, he played like it too. Chris Chase, C'MON MAN
- harrington 3 months ago
  That does make sense - he didn't want to be there because the American was kicking his rear and he played like he wanted to be somewhere else - like out in space or something like that. This writing (whether you like Chase or not) makes the reporter understandable and correct. He played like he wanted to be anywhere except for where he was because our guy was kickin it. Thanks for listening.
- Sidi 3 months ago
  Harrington, I guess that one went over your head. But you are correct, nice article.
- Flip Rmoney $$$$$$$ 3 months ago
  I wonder what Chase thinks of me?????
Prestige Worldwide • 3 months ago
"Once he saw how good John Isner looked, he played like it too". Uh?
What kind of retarded sentence is that?
Roger Federer could lose to my grandma and still he wouldn't be as embarrased as we are for reading Chris Chase's crapticles
- A Yahoo! User 3 months ago
  I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU
- A Yahoo! User 3 months ago
  njbsjgfsdyugygdhgsCjhvagjvWGSWEWTGQGQDGSDASHGDGdhffshdhffgfggg
- Nick 3 months ago
  I could construct a better sentence by dropping a bowling ball onto my miniature keyboard.
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Reply
Cicero • 3 months ago
Nice to see Federer being a good sport and congratulating his opponent. Classy.
hOOt • 3 months ago
Hardly "Stunning"....Isner is on his way up, Fed on his way down, and he really isn't that good on Clay....
agnes l • Nashville, Tennessee • 3 months ago
THEY ARE BOTH WORLD CLASS ATHLETES. LETS JUST ENJOY WATCHING.
Chris • 3 months ago
A few #$%$ in that shiny armor of federer. Any given day in tennis a player can fall to anyone. It happens
JJ • 3 months ago
Federer is human after all.
John Blye • Santa Rosa, California • 3 months ago
Federer is a class act. Looked him in the eye and smiled while he shook his hand. Not like the Williams sisters or others
Dr. Bob • Fort Lauderdale, Florida • 3 months ago
Womens basketball is all over the TV....How come the Cup matches are not included? Nuts!
the verb • 3 months ago
The clay was the same on both sides of the net.
Rob • 3 months ago
I was wondering about all the comments about the "uneven" or "sloppy" clay surface. Then I saw that Federer's boyfriend Chris Chase wrote the article. Hey Chris, both players had to play on the same surface, and clay is not exactly to Isner's advantage. BTW: you suck.
Cubbies • 3 months ago
Who did this so call " writer" know to get a job like this.
J • San Diego, California • 3 months ago
Great win for Isner....and insert your own Chris Chase slam here.
Snoop LKA • 3 months ago
Maybe Roddick IS washed up and Isner should be inserted permanently? I'm not a rocket scientist, but that sure makes sense!
phantom • Fort Myers, Florida • 3 months ago
Uuhhh, say what? Oh, never mind, I'll try to figure it all out on my own.