Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka believes that Switzerland have the “biggest chance in years” to lift the Davis Cup. With Roger Federer in their ranks for more than a decade now, it’s surprising that the Swiss have never managed winning the event in the past. In fact, their record is nothing short of appalling in the competition as they have only managed reaching the finals of the event once in their history. For all their conquests in the singles’ game, the Davis Cup continues to elude them. There have been times when Federer has cut a lone figure trying to inspire his nation to a win on his own, with others around him failing time and again. This time, however, the story seems a bit different as far as the Swiss are concerned. Up against minnows Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals, which kick off on Friday, the host nation will be overwhelming favourites. What’s more, looking at the teams left in the competition, the Swiss will be heavy favourites against any. With Wawrinka in the form of his life, and Federer’s sublime start to the year, this, indeed, represents the biggest chance for Switzerland in the competition in years. Their opponents, Kazakhstan are only ranked a place below them in the ITF’s rankings, but their highest ranked player, Mikhail Kukushikin, is ranked at 56 in the world. Any faint hopes of qualification will be on him producing a miracle against either Stan or against Roger. It seems to be the year for the Swiss, but can the Kazakhs reign in on their parade one more time, it will be a test of character more than anything else for the underachieving team from Europe.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:14:32 +0000
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