Federer saves Switzerland`s Davis Cup status

Amsterdam: A singles win from Roger Federer gave Switzerland the decisive point to stay in the top tier of the Davis Cup after taking an unassailable 3-1 lead over the Netherlands Sunday in the best-of-five playoff fixture.

World No.1 Federer dominated Dutch No.1 Robin Haase in Sunday`s first singles rubber here to win 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. Earlier, Italy kept its spot in the top-level World Group after going 3-1 up against Chile in Naples. Andreas Seppi sealed the victory with a straight-sets singles win over Paul Capdevile, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. Kazakhstan will stay in the World Group for a second year after going 3-1 ahead against Uzbekistan Sunday when Mikhail Kukushkin beat Denis Istomin 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-2. Two matches were decided Saturday, with Russia dropping out of the World Group for the first time with a 3-0 defeat to Brazil and Belgium beating Sweden. Both of the Davis Cup semifinals will also be decided Sunday, with Spain leading the United States 2-1 in Gijon in the first semifinal and the Czech Republic 2-1 ahead against Argentina in Buenos Aires in the other fixture. IANS