U.S. up 2-0 after Isner beats Federer

FRIBOURG, Switzerland, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- John Isner stunned world No. 3 Roger Federer in four sets Friday and put the United States up 2-0 in its best-of-five Davis Cup series with Switzerland.

Isner defeated Federer 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 after Mardy Fish had beaten Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 9-7 in putting the U.S. team within one win of advancing to the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

Isner dropped serve just once -- although Federer had 12 break-point chances -- but a second-set break allowed him to tie the match and a pair of breaks in the fourth was worth the win.

Federer had 66 winners and just 15 unforced errors but his inability to finish off break opportunities cost him. He was 1-of-2 in the first set but 0-for-10 the rest of the way.

The match between Fish and Wawrinka lasted 4 1/2 hours. Fish went up 4-2 in the fifth set only to have Wawrinka win three of the next four games. He twice served for the match. The first time Wawrinka got the needed break but, after Fish had a 15th-game break, Fish was able to serve out the match.

The Americans need only a win in Saturday's doubles or one of the two singles matches Sunday to earn a quarterfinals spot against either Canada or France in April.

Mike Bryan and Ryan Harrison are teaming for the United States in doubles against Federer and Wawrinka. Federer draws Fish in Sunday's opener while Wawrinka meets Isner in the series finale.