Atptennis.com

Australia heads into the final day with an invaluable 2-1 lead against Switzerand in Melbourne. Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs battled back from a two sets to one deficit against Swiss pair Roger Federer and Marc Rosset to give Australia the advantage heading into the final day of reverse singles. The tie now no longer rests on Federer's racquet. Should Federer defeat Lleyton Hewitt in the first reverse singles on Sunday, Swiss hopes will then rest on Michel Kratochvil to pull off an upset win over Mark Philippoussis.

September 19, 2003

Aussie duo, Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs, pulled off a heroic comeback to give Australia a 2-1 advantage heading into the final day of reverse singles. In a thrilling encounter, Swiss pair Roger Federer and Marc Rosset, looked to be on course to victory as they moved two sets to one up. Rallied by a raucous home crowd, Woodbridge and Arthurs found the reserves to pull off a dramatic five sets win.

Todd Woodbridge/Wayne Arthurs (AUS) d Roger Federer/Marc Rosset (SUI) 46 76(5) 57 64 64

• Woodbridge now has a career 3-2 Davis Cup doubles record in partnership with Arthurs. Their two defeats came over five sets.
• As a Davis Cup doubles pair, Federer and Rosset are now a career 1-2.
• The Swiss are bidding to reach the final of the Davis Cup for the first time since 1992. They have never won the event.

What Arthurs Said: "It’s always emotional to play in Melbourne in front of family and friends and to win a match like that, being down the whole way and to come through, and play that well in the last couple of sets, I think, it's going to stay in my memory for a long, long time"

What John Fitzgerald Said: "I remember saying before the tie started that Saturday would be a sweaty palm day. It was. If I had been a bit warmer it would have been a sweaty palm day, I was frozen solid. It was just a great performance. I think Wayne played this well in Malmo (Sweden – quarter-final tie last April) but this was more pressure, against a team that included two big servers and particularly a form player like Roger, in these conditions - I think that's the best match he's played for Australia."

Fitzgerald on Federer: "I am very, very wary of Roger. He's too good a player to think you have got him on the ropes, there is always a long way to go. This next match has the potential to be a classic. All I will say is that our singles boys are ready, both of them and I'd rather be up 2-1 than down 2-1, by a country mile. Lleyton's ready but he knows this is going to be a heck of a battle."

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Sat, 20 Sep 2003

Wayne Arthurs emerged as the unlikely hero on Saturday as he sparked a come-from-behind doubles victory over Switzerland to tilt the balance Australia's way in the Davis Cup tennis semifinal.

The 32-year-old journeyman played the dominant role with doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge to overcome the Swiss pair, Roger Federer and captain Marc Rosset, in five sets, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in three hours 17 minutes.

In the process Arthurs erased traumatic memories of the last time he played for Australia on the Melbourne Park centre court when his loss in the fifth handed the 2001 final to France.

He was shattered by that experience after being thrown in at the deep end after Patrick Rafter withdrew with injury, but on Saturday he was acclaimed for his part in the crucial victory in the overall context of the tie.

The Swiss, chasing their first-ever Davis Cup crown, now have to win both of Sunday's reverse singles with world number three Federer having to beat former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, and either Michael Kratovil or George Bastl taking Mark Philippoussis in a potentially decisive final rubber.

The winner has a home final against Spain or Argentina in Australia November 28-30.

"That's the first time I've played on that court since 2001 and I really wanted to win this match, I wasn't going to lose it," Arthurs said.

"To win a match like that when we were down the whole way and to come through and play that well in the last couple of sets ... it's going to stay in my memory for a long time."

Woodbridge, 32, who equalled the Australian record of 28 Davis Cup ties with Adrian Quist set over 60 years ago, said they had deserved to win Saturday's struggle after losing two tight five-setters in the past.

"We deserved to win that match because what we've been through, we came through with a great result in the quarterfinal (against Sweden) and gutsed our way through today's match to give ourselves the opportunity.

"Wayne kept giving me confidence to keep having a go, he was great around the net, he was moving, poaching, intercepting."

Arthurs, who was in tears after losing to Frenchman Nicolas Escude in the final in Melbourne two years ago, said he wanted to fall into a big hole after his dreadful opening service game of the match. He double-faulted twice, had an embarrassing air-swing miss at a high ball along with a backhand error to drop his first service and put Australia immediately on the back-foot.

"It was a bit of a shocker that first game, I was a little bit nervous, I was trying to erase some memories from last time I was out on this court in 2001 and I think the way I competed and played today is going to go down as one of the biggest matches I've ever played," Arthurs said.

The Swiss, in contrast, were bitterly disappointed to let slip a 2-1 sets lead to hand the advantage to Australia in Sunday's two remaining singles matches.

Federer reiterated that he had no problems backing up to play refreshed Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth singles rubber on Sunday.

"I told you at the beginning of the tie that there is no problem for me to play three matches in a row, I don't change what I said," Federer said.

"We've been down 2-1 a few times and we've came back and had a chance so we've getting ready and trying to forget this doubles as soon as possible and then look forward to tomorrow."

Rosset, who elected to play in the doubles ahead of George Bastl, said he had a lot of confidence in Federer's ability to conquer Hewitt and get Switzerland into a fifth and deciding tie.

"We got used to this situation quite a lot these last two years, I have a lot of confidence in Roger to bring it back to two-all and then the fifth rubber anything can happen with two guys playing with a lot of pressure on them," Rosset said.

"We'll see who is going to manage this situation the best, if we get to it."

AFP

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SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2003

by: Luke Buttigieg

sportal.com

Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge were both happy men after fighting all the way to a five-set win over Swiss pair Roger Federer and Marc Rosset to put Australia within one rubber of a place in the Davis Cup final.

The pair started slowly, especially Arthurs, who had a shocker in the opening game when he was broken, but slowly but surely they worked their way back into the match to claim what could be a vital victory.

Arthurs composed himself after his poor start and as the match wore on became the key to the contest, and both he and Woodbridge spoke of the belief they had had that they would win, even at two-sets-to-one down.

"I just saw the ball really well," Arthurs said. "I knew where they were serving and I was just on. I really wanted to win, we just weren’t going to lose. I was very emotional. To win like that, when we were down all the way, will stay with me for a long time."

"Wayne and I have lost two tough five-setters, so I felt like we deserved to win," Woodbridge added. "We gutsed our way through and in the fifth set, like Wayne said, we weren’t going to lose."

Australian captain John Fitzgerald was obviously a happy man, admitting that the day had lived up to how important he expected it to be.

"It was a great performance," Fitzgerald said, adding that Arthurs had been the key. "It was Wayne’s best match for Australia. He gets better with age so were going to start calling him ‘Wineo’ instead of ‘Wayneo’.

Swiss captain Rosset was talking up his team’s chances of recovering to win, saying it had done it all before, but his body language told a different story as he appeared very despondent.

"We are used to this situation in the last two years," Rosset said. "I’m confident Roger can win to make it 2-2 and then in the fifth match, rankings and results mean nothing. There will be two guys under pressure and it comes down to whoever manages it best."

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20 Sep 2003 - Melbourne Park, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, AUS - Craig Gabriel

daviscup.com

Wayne Arthurs showed rare signs of emotion whilst Australian Davis Cup captain declared it one of the best Davis Cup doubles matches he had ever seen.

Fans at Melbourne Park today were treated to a fiesta of enthralling tennis that saw Australia come back from two sets to one down to beat Switzerland in the doubles rubber of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Semifinal tie.

Coming into the doubles rubber, the nations were locked at one rubber each after the first day's singles. Now, going into the final day, Australia is holding a vital 2-1 lead.

Arthurs and Wimbledon doubles champion Todd Woodbridge took three hours and 17 minutes to rally back against Roger Federer, the Wimbledon champion, and the Swiss captain Marc Rosset to win 46 76 57 64 64 in chilly and very windy conditions on the Rod Laver Arena.

"It’s always emotional to play in Melbourne in front of family and friends and to win a match like that, being down the whole way and to come through, and play that well in the last couple of sets, I think, it's going to stay in my memory for a long, long time," said Arthurs, who was playing on that court for the first time since losing the deciding singles rubber in the final against France in 2001.

Even though Federer suggested it was not such a great match, the general consensus was that it certainly was. There was some enthralling tennis played and so often the fans were left on the edge of their seats as they willed returns to stay inside the lines or land on the wrong side, depending on where allegiances lay.

Australian captain John Fitzgerald was even moved to say that it was one of the best Davis Cup doubles matches he had ever seen.

"I remember saying before the tie started that Saturday would be a sweaty palm day," said Fitzgerald. "It was. If I had been a bit warmer it would have been a sweaty palm day, I was frozen solid. It was just a great performance. I think Wayne played this well in Malmo (Sweden – quarter-final tie last April) but this was more pressure, against a team that included two big servers and particularly a form player like Roger, in these conditions - I think that's the best match he's played for Australia."

The reverse singles will be a do or die task for Federer. He has to win to keep Swiss hopes alive and he plays the first of the matches against Lleyton Hewitt. While previous meetings don't really mean too much when it comes to Davis Cup, it is interesting to note that Hewitt has won seven of their nine matches, granted most of them have been close battles.

"I am very, very wary of Roger. He's too good a player to think you have got him on the ropes, there is always a long way to go," said Fitzgerald.

"This next match has the potential to be a classic. All I will say is that our singles boys are ready, both of them and I'd rather be up 2-1 than down 2-1, by a country mile. Lleyton's ready but he knows this is going to be a heck of a battle."

The last reverse singles has Mark Philippoussis against Michel Kratochvil. However if the last singles is live there is a feeling that the Swiss will use the substitution rule and put George Bastl in to face Philippoussis. They played the final rubber the last time the two nations met, in Zurich, in February, 2000, and Philippoussis escaped with victory 64 in the fifth set.

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Tennisaustralia.com.au

Wayne Arthurs/Todd Woodbridge (AUS) d Roger Federer/Marc Rosset (SUI) 46 76(5) 57 64 64

Australia moved one step closer to winning the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Semifinal today when Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs delivered an electrifying five set victory over Swiss pair Roger Federer and Marc Rosset.

The Australian team now lead the Swiss 2-1 ahead of tomorrow's reverse singles between Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) and Federer, followed by Mark Philippoussis against Swiss No.2 Michel Kratochvil.

Today's magnificent doubles victory blew away the ghosts of Arthurs' traumatic loss on Rod Laver Arena in the live fifth rubber of the final against France two years ago.

Despite a few collywobbles at the start of today's match, in which the lanky Victorian double-faulted twice in the first game, completely missed an easy overhead and botched a backhand volley, Arthurs did not drop his serve again.

In fact Woodbridge, who was playing his 28th Davis Cup tie to equal the Australian record set by Adrian Quist, believed Arthurs' confidence had carried both players to victory.

"My partner played way better than I did today," Woodbridge said. "He kept me in there, I struggled a little bit with my returns during the match. He just gave me the confidence to keep having a go."

Explained Arthurs of his opening service game, "It was a bit of a shocker. I'm going to blame it on the sun. I was a little bit nervous. Maybe I erased some memories when I was last out on this court in 2001." A few moments later, he thanked the crowd. "It was a great Melbourne crowd today. I love you all," Arthurs said.

Optus Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald was clearly relieved that his team had taken a 2-1 lead. "It has given us a chance now. It's a long way from being over."

"I thought the standard of tennis from start to finish was extremely high. It was one of the best Davis Cup matches I have seen."

The Swiss players were less complimentary about the quality of the three and a half hour match.

"I never thought that the match lived up to the expectation," Federer said. Rosset agreed, adding that the windy conditions had contributed to a high unforced error count on both sides. "It was great suspense for the spectators but I do not think it was great tennis particularly," Rosset said.

While he has been the player to beat throughout this tie, Wimbledon champion Federer showed most vulnerability on his serve, dropping it in the fifth game of the fourth set and the seventh game of the fifth set. He also double-faulted in the third set tiebreak at a crucial moment and gave the Aussies a 5-2 point lead.

Rosset only dropped his massive serve once while Woodbridge was broken twice, the second time after he had been whacked in the ear by an Arthurs' return in the 11th game of the third set. Needing to hold and level the set, Woodbridge literally had his senses knocked out of him and had to contend with a ringing in his ears together with the sounds of 'Good 'ol Collingwood Forever' piping out from the nearby Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Having lost two close five set matches before in their Davis Cup career together, Arthurs and Woodbridge were determined to leave the court winners.

"Even though I started a little shaky today, I was really happy with the way I stayed positive," Arthurs said. "I also kept Todd positive. I really wanted to win this match. I wasn't going to lose it. I think that showed out there."

The Swiss had three break points to claim the second set from Woodbridge's serve, and had they done so may have secured the doubles and the tie. While Hewitt holds a commanding 7-2 head-to-head against Federer, the Swiss star has now won 29 consecutive singles sets in Davis Cup following his straight sets victory over Philippoussis on Friday night.

"Lleyton's ready but he knows this is going to be a heck of a battle," Fitzgerald said.

"It's too difficult to predict who's going to win that match, but I have a lot of faith in Lleyton, a lot of faith.

"We also know Michel's had good results and we're wary of him too."

But for tonight at least, the Optus Australian Davis Cup team will be saluting one of the finest Davis Cup doubles victories Fitzy can remember in his two-year stint as captain.

"I think that's the best match he's (Wayne's) played," Fitzy said. "He's getting better with age. We're going to call him Wino now instead of Wayno."

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(Read from the bottom up)

10:30 MELBOURNE: AUSTRALIA TWO MATCH POINTS... Arthurs serves out wide to Federer on the deuce court, Woodbridge intercepts, Federer chases down but nets... ALL OVER.... GAME SET MATCH AUSTRALIA 4-6 7-6 5-7 6-4 6-4!!! Woodbridge and Arthurs applaud the unbelievable support! They realise the enormity of winning this doubles encounter.

10:28 MELBOURNE: Arthurs unreturnable serve 15-0; both Swiss players on the baseline to return... Rosset forehand into the net 30-0; Federer return winner 30-15; ACE 40-15...

10:27 MELBOURNE: All four players come out to a din!

10:27 MELBOURNE: Arthurs to serve for the rubber; he remains silent as Aussie captain John Fitzgerald talks at the changeover; remaining focused

10:26 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge leaping all over the Rosset serve, returned to the big Swiss left-hander's feet. He can't dig it up 0-15; Rosset unreturnable serve 15-15; Federer volleys away 30-15; Arthurs return framed out 40-15; Rosset takes his time before delivering his first serve... quick into the net he smashes away... SWITZERLAND 4-5!

10:23 MELBOURNE: The doubles legend serves out to love, Arthurs slamming away a backhand smash... AUSTRALIA 5-3

10:21 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge to confirm the break, gets up from his chair to massive cheer

10:20 MELBOURNE: A Federer double fault and AUSTRALIA have BREAK POINT... Rosset jogs back to talk tactics... nervous moments... Federer's serve is deep, but Woodbridge rockets a ball towards the Swiss captain, who nets!!!! GAME AUSTRALIA 4-3! The crowd goes wild, Lleyton Hewitt is off his feet, Mark Philippoussis slaps the hand of Arthurs. A crucial break, but a long way to the end!

10:17 MELBOURNE: Rosset's returning expertise fails him, as Arthurs serves deep and with kick; two ACES seal the game for AUSTRALIA 3-3

10:14 MELBOURNE: Rosset holds serve, as Federer crosses the net on all four occasions to volley away... SWITZERLAND 3-2

10:12 MELBOURNE: Federer continues to struggle on the return of serve. If only Australia and Woodbridge could have two serves to the Wimbledon champion ADV AUS; Rosset return winner for the third consecutive time, the veteran appears to be in the 'zone' DEUCE; Woodbridge has had enough and at last closes out with two unreturnable serves 2-2

10:08 MELBOURNE: As Woodbridge masters the service placement to Federer, Rosset on the advantage court is beginning to guess correctly and returning with interest. A double fault from the 32-year-old, within sight of Tom Okker's overall double title record, doesn't help! He retrieves the situation with an ACE, ADV AUS; Rosset again returns well, this time a winner down the line DEUCE!

10:04 MELBOURNE: Federer survives a few nervous moments, digging out balls from his feet on approach to the net; the standard of play increasing with every game. The Swiss fans cow bells remain deafening! SWITZERLAND 2-1

10:00 MELBOURNE: Arthurs closing down the net well, to quell the challenge of a Federer winner... the Australian left-hander serves out for 1-1!

09:55 MELBOURNE: Swiss captain Marc Rosset to begin the fifth and final set... play! In double quick time it's 1-0! Standard opening after the effort of the closing stages of set four

09:51 MELBOURNE: Arthurs serving, ACE 15-0; Arthurs watches Federer and not the ball, the Swiss man crossing to intercept 15-15; Woodbridge smashes away off serve 30-15; Arthurs unreturnable 40-15... AUSTRALIA TWO SET POINTS... second serve, Arthurs races into the net... a fine backhand angled volley... AUSTRALIA takes the FOURTH SET 6-4!!!!

09:50 MELBOURNE: Wimbledon champion Federer serves out for Switzerland... placing the pressure on Australia to WIN the set! 4-5

09:47 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge making sure his serves enable Arthurs to put away at the net; the doubles specialist maintaining the service break and distance between the Swiss pair... AUSTRALIA 5-3

09:45 MELBOURNE: Federer helps Rosset by crossing at the net. The Swiss captain opens up the angles of the court with wide serving to the Woodbridge deuce court; Rosset unreturnable serve... SWITZERLAND 3-4... "Advance Australia fair!" starts up again!

09:42 MELBOURNE: Rosset serving, his thunderbolts finding their range again and making it difficult for the Australian pair to return... let only guess the direction!

09:41 MELBOURNE: Tremendous net play, the crowd getting heavily involved now, realising that Australia is at a crucial stage. Arthurs serving, needs all the help he can get. Two unreturnables and quick hands at the net twice by Woodbridge give AUSTRALIA a 4-2 lead

09:38 MELBOURNE: The experienced Woodbridge moving more and more to the middle of the court, keeping an eye on the placement of Federer's drop shot angles... the 32-year-old Aussie gets hit by a Federer serve, they both smile, Arthurs returns and pins Rosset... Federer's serve being keenly contested... TWO BREAK POINTS AUSTRALIA... Woodbridge returns down the line, Rosset running across the net... AUSTRALIA 3-2!

09:34 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge serving, kept on the backfoot by superb returns by the Swiss pair, who are also taking their chances at the net; Rosset volleys long, just when a break point looked certain; Woodbridge doesn't give him a second chance ACE... 2-2, 16 minutes of the fourth set gone!

09:30 MELBOURNE: ROSSET SURVIVES... swaggers to his chair at the changeover and exchanges a joke with partner Federer and Bastl... SWITZERLAND 2-1

09:29 MELBOURNE: Arthurs seeing the ball early on the Rosset serve and keeping Australian in the game from the back of the court, as Woodbridge is at the net... the pair do enough to set up BREAK POINT AUSTRALIA... Rosset's first serve out, second deep and Arthurs can only flick it back high over the net, the veteran Swiss 1992 Olympic singles gold medal winner volleys away DEUCE!

09:24 MELBOURNE: The athleticism of Woodbridge, a 32-year-old is outstanding, still at the top of the doubles game the Australian is making difficult shots look easy. Rosset can only laugh when three successive winners come back with interest

09:24 MELBOURNE: Arthurs cruises to Australia's first game... 1-1

09:22 MELBOURNE: Federer closes out the first service game of the fourth set with an unreturnable, that leaves Woodbridge flailing... SWITZERLAND 1-0

09:20 MELBOURNE: Federer starts the fourth set for Switzerland

09:16 MELBOURNE: TRIPLE SET POINT for SWITZERLAND... Federer upping the ante... the Wimbledon champion plays the winning volley a backhand... Rosset delighted... the cow bells and drums start up again... SWITZERLAND THIRD SET 7-5 in 40 minutes!

09:15 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge, fully recovered and with a smile on his face... the focus remains... serving for a third set tie-break

09:12 MELBOURNE: Rosset again, feeling the nerves and pressure! Two double faults aren't helping the Swiss cause. Arthurs hits partner Woodbridge on the side of the head, forcing a return back into court... SWITZERLAND 6-5

09:08 MELBOURNE: Arthurs serves out to love... 5-5! Another Tie-break imminent! STATISTIC - NET POINTS WON: Australia 28 - Switzerland 22

09:05 MELBOURNE: Federer wraps up a quick service game to love, rushes to his chair and looks very relaxed... Bastl on the sidelines offers more encouragement SWITZERLAND 5-4

09:01 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge feels the backlash of a fine Federer return 0-15; unreturnable from the 32-year-old Aussie 15-15; Federer again firing down the middle, Woodbridge nets 15-30... now Arthurs goes to the back of the court to talk tactics; Rosset returns out, throws his racket down in disgust 30-30; Arthurs volley one-two with Rosset at the net, eventually put away 40-30; Rosset return winner, now he's smiling DEUCE; Federer return out ADV AUS; Woodbridge serve down the middle GAME AUSTRALIA 4-4

08:56 MELBOURNE: But with the help and encouragement of Federer, Rosset holds serve to take SWITZERLAND into a 4-3 lead! Now the Aussies singing their National Anthem!

08:55 MELBOURNE: Rosset feeling the pressure, age may be telling, but he is noticeably one step slower than the others when coming to the net. Arthurs and Woodbridge target the Swiss captain’s feet.

08:54 MELBOURNE: Arthurs becoming a rock on serve. Another love service game, another chance for the support to sing "Waltzing Matilda"... 3-3

08:50 MELBOURNE: Rosset gets his own back volleying two away at Woodbridge. Federer's serve setting up the simple put aways... SWITZERLAND 3-2

08:50 MELBOURNE: Federer ACE 15-0; double fault 15-15; stretches Woodbridge wide on serve 30-15; Arthurs overeager, fires the ball at Federer's body, but the Swiss champion ducks, the ball lands out 40-15; Woodbridge return winner 40-30; Woodbridge across the net, off a Arthurs return, the volley straight at Rosset who has no chance DEUCE!

08:47 MELBOURNE: The Australian's take on board the words of John Fitzgerald and Lleyton Hewitt at the changeover. Woodbridge serves out for 2-2, the crowd falls silent, as the standard of play rockets!

08:43 MELBOURNE: Rosset holds serve for Switzerland as Federer is noticeably moving up a gear. At the net he snuffs out any half-chance the Australian's may have... 2-1

08:40 MELBOURNE: Arthurs holds for the loss of one point... 1-1... the umpire calls for new balls

08:39 MELBOURNE: Arthurs serving for Australia fins himself immediately on the backfoot, but he plays his ace card. Directing the ball towards Rosset's backhand the Swiss captain can only net the return... annoyed he shouts out! The Aussie crowd reacts with further encouragement for their doubles team

08:37 MELBOURNE: From the flurry of activity in the tie-break to the routine nature of a Federer hold... SWITZERLAND 1-0

08:35 MELBOURNE: Federer to open up the third set... play!

08:33 MELBOURNE: Rosset ACE, SUI 5-6! Woodbridge with ONE SET POINT to play with; AUSTRALIA GET IT, Arthurs leaps around the net and eventually puts the ball away... SECOND SET AUSTRALIA 7-6(5)!

08:32 MELBOURNE: Federer serving his second point, discussing tactics with Rosset, FANTASTIC rally! Superb defence by the Swiss duo, but Woodbridge nails a backhand at Federer who nets the volley AUS 5-2; Arthurs ACE 6-2; FOUR SET POINTS AUSTRALIA... Arthurs to serve again, first effort out, second short, Federer forehand return winner SUI 3-6; Rosset to serve, first serve into the net, a band of fans boo; Rosset holds his nerve SUI 4-6!

08:29 MELBOURNE: Arthurs serving, Federer returns out AUS 1-0; Rosset serving, Arthurs returns out 1-1; Rosset serving his second point, Woodbridge returns well, but Arthurs is caught out volleying too close to the net SUI 2-1; Woodbridge serving, unreturnable kicker 2-2; Woodbridge serving his second point, Arthurs puts return away at net AUS 3-2; Federer serving, double fault AUS 4-2; the foursome change ends...

08:26 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge and Arthurs both guess right on the angle of Federer's serve and suprise Rosset, who is caught crossing! Federer gets out of trouble, but the Swiss duo is still indecisive... ACE and it'll be a BREAKER! 6-6

08:24 MELBOURNE: Federer to take the Swiss to a TIE-BREAK...

08:22 MELBOURNE: Arthurs again puts away Federer's return, which Woodbridge had served out wide ADV; a contentious line call and the umpire doesn't overrule... Woodbridge survives a stern test AUSTRALIA 6-5!

08:21 MELBOURNE: Aussie captain John Fitzgerald and the whole of the bench on their feet applauding

08:20 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge and Arthurs get caught out down the middle of the court again 0-15; Rosset sets up a Federer volley winner 0-30; Woodbridge serving, takes his time... AGAIN the Aussies fails to decide who should cover the middle... 0-40... TRIPLE BREAK POINT SWITZERLAND... Arthurs volleys away, one down... 15-40; ACE 30-40; Arthurs volleys away a well-placed Woodbridge serve. DEUCE!!!!

08:17 MELBOURNE: Rosset levels for Switzerland 5-5. No sweat!

08:15 MELBOURNE: Arthurs serves out to love, as the Australian crowd play "Waltzing Matilda" hoping to inspire their men. Fitzgerald congratulates the pair at the changeover... Rosset to keep the second set alive... AUSTRALIA 5-4

08:13 MELBOURNE: Federer serves out with no worry. The second set heading towards a tie-break now. All four players plying their trade in excellent fashion. 4-4

08:10 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge playing in his 28th record equaling tie serves out for 4-3! The Australian has mainly played doubles for the green and gold and boasts a 24-9 win/loss record in Davis Cup ties

08:08 MELBOURNE: Rosset with excellent support at the net from Federer level the second set for Switzerland to the appreciation of some 1,000 countrymen and women in the Rod Laver Arena... 3-3

08:04 MELBOURNE: Arthurs with his easiest service hold so far... AUSTRALIA 3-2! Great variation on speed and direction

08:01 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge returning superbly, Federer and Rosset would do well to target Arthurs on the ad court... FEDERER serves out to level for SWITZERLAND 2-2

07:59 MELBOURNE: Roger Federer to get Switzerland back level, the Wimbledon champion has played ten times for his country winning 20 and losing seven!

07:58 MELBOURNE: BREAK POINT SWITZERLAND on the Woodbridge serve, Arthurs helps his partner out though, crossing at the net to smash away DEUCE; but the same player now makes an unforced error; A SECOND BREAK POINT for the Swiss; Rosset return winner; SWITZERLAND back in the set... 1-2! Woodbridge smashes a ball into the advertising boardings in anger

07:56 MELBOURNE: Lleyton Hewitt's girlfriend Kim Clijsters appears to be enjoying herself in the crowd

07:53 MELBOURNE: Rosset now with a chance to boost his confidence by serving down his missiles... but both he and Federer are struggling at the net volleying and let Australia in the door 30-30; Arthurs spanks away a backhand to create a BREAK POINT for AUSTRALIA... Rosset stretching his shoulders, as Woodbridge dictates the tactics... WOODBRIDGE swipes away a volley... GAME AUSTRALIA 2-0!

07:50 MELBOURNE: Rosset continuing to find fluency on his backhand side; Arthurs exposes this and serves out... AUSTRALIA 1-0

07:48 MELBOURNE: Arthurs to start the second set for Australia

07:46 MELBOURNE: A THIRD BREAK POINT for Australia, Federer drills Arthurs body with a booming serve, back to DEUCE; a smash winner and Federer to serve at SET POINT SWITZERLAND... his first serve flies out, Rosset back to change tactics, they take their time; Arthurs returns well DEUCE; Federer ACE and a SECOND SET POINT... ACE again and SWITZERLAND takes the FIRST SET 6-4 in 33 minutes!

07:43 MELBOURNE: TWO BREAK POINTS FOR AUSTRALIA... Federer quick to win back one, with a fine volley off his serve 30-40; ACE and back to DEUCE!

07:41 MELBOURNE: Federer hurtling into the net, off relatively tame first serves, the Australian pair cannot get enough on their returns so the Swiss volley is put away with ease... Lleyton Hewitt off his feet now in support

07:40 MELBOURNE: Wayne Arthurs has played ten ties for Australia, winning nine rubbers and losing five. He serves out, as Rosset and Federer rue missed returning opportunities. At the changeover, the Aussies need inspiring... 4-5!

07:37 MELBOURNE: Rosset on the wrong end of a net court, that kicked up. The veteran returned it, but ruthless Woodbridge volleyed away. SWITZERLAND and Rosset serve out for 5-3! The cow bells ring loud now!

07:34 MELBOURNE: A moment of indecision from Woodbridge and Arthurs, as Switzerland catch them napping down the middle of the court, both go for the ball, both miss. But Woodbridge serves out for the loss of two points... AUSTRALIA 3-4

07:31 MELBOURNE: Federer maintains Switzerland's break with another confident service game... 4-2

07:27 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge moving closer and closer to the net, leaving little angle for the Swiss duo to return... Arthurs serves out to the relief and delight of the crowd... AUSTRALIA 2-3. Captain John Fitzgerald on his feet immediately at the changeover

07:26 MELBOURNE: Now what can Arthurs do. How will he react after losing his opening service game? Send all your comments about the tie to our man in Oz, James Buddell on jbuddell@eurosport.co.uk

07:25 MELBOURNE: Rosset's thunderbolts are still as potent as ever. He moves to 40-15 with an ACE! But then proceeds to feed Woodbridge's forehand, as Australia claw their way back into game contention. Volley winner by Rosset however and SWITZERLAND lead 3-1

07:22 MELBOURNE: George Bastl offering encouragement courtside, in place of Rosset - who is about to serve

07:21 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge regains his composure and serves out with expert placement... AUSTRALIA 1-2

07:17 MELBOURNE: Arthurs playing left-court to Woodbridge right... Federer survives his first service game to give Switzerland a 2-0 lead... an ACE sealing it!

07:16 MELBOURNE: Woodbridge and Arthurs wearing all white in the blazing sun; Rosset and Federer the familiar red

07:15 MELBOURNE: The worst possible start for Australia, Arthurs clearly nervous double faults twice, as Switzerland's duo are gifted errors... FEDERER AND ROSSET BREAK for 1-0!

07:11 MELBOURNE: Australia and Wayne Arthurs to serve... play!

07:03 MELBOURNE: The four begin their warm-up!

07:00 MELBOURNE: Out walk Marc Rosset and Roger Federer onto the court, with huge fanfare... followed closely by Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge... the drums continue to beat and the bells ring endlessly. The roof is off. Beautiful sunshine!

06:15 MELBOURNE: Australian Todd Woodbridge today equals a record which has stood for 55 years, ever since Adrian Quist played his last Davis Cup rubber in 1948. They both share the record of the most ties played in with 28!

05:00 Welcome to eurosport.com's coverage of both Davis Cup World Group semi-final clashes. Please join us from 07:00cet, when Australia takes on Switzerland in the crucial doubles rubber!

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By Linda Pearce

September 20, 2003

The Age

Switzerland has nominated Wayne Arthurs as the potentially vulnerable link in Australia's Davis Cup chain, with captain Marc Rosset hoping to exploit Todd Woodbridge's older but less celebrated partner in today's pivotal doubles match of the semi-final tie.

"The weakest point in the Australian team is Arthurs, how he will react when it's one-all after the first day," Rosset told Swiss journalists in the lead-up to yesterday's opening singles matches on Rod Laver Arena.

Rosset recalled the doubles rubber in the first round in Zurich in 2000, the last time the nations met in Davis Cup competition. Australia won the tie 3-2, but Rosset harked back to the fact that Roger Federer was making his Davis Cup doubles debut in tandem with Lorenzo Manta and that the scratch pair still managed a four-set victory over Arthurs and Sandon Stolle. Switzerland was thus able to take a 2-1 lead into the final day, and it took brave wins by Lleyton Hewitt and a limping Mark Philippoussis against Federer and George Bastl to salvage an Australian victory.

Yet Woodbridge, who shares a 4-2 cup doubles record with Arthurs after a shaky start, said he considered his left-handed partner a worthy member of the improving combination.

Woodbridge predicted that Arthurs would prove particularly valuable against the expected Swiss team of Federer, the Wimbledon champion, and Rosset, the big-serving veteran.

"I think you need someone like a Wayne to combat a Federer, and if Rosset plays I think you need Wayne there, too: for the reach, the quick serving games, free points, and the unpredictability," Woodbridge said.

"If you have perhaps a Lleyton and I together, it's too smooth for them, there's too many nice balls coming back and we make everything, but with Wayne they don't know if it's going to be a missed return or it's going to be a winner and that can make guys nervous. It makes them a little bit uncomfortable."

Arthurs, 32, a doubles specialist before his singles career burst into belated bloom at Wimbledon in 1999, has enjoyed one of his best doubles years in 2003, teaming with fellow Australian Paul Hanley to reach the quarter-finals or better at three of the four grand slams, and building his ranking to a career-high No.12.

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MELBOURNE, Sept 20 AAP - When he steps onto the centre court at Melbourne Park today, Todd Woodbridge will equal the record for the most Davis Cup matches played by an Australian.

And for the 32-year-old who won his first senior title 15 years ago, it will be just one more credit on a list that might well end up qualifying him as the greatest doubles player of all time. On pure statistics, Woodbridge will undoubtedly be able to claim to be the best.

The Wimbledon title he won this year - his 15th in a grand slam - took his collection to 77, one short of the Dutchman Tom Okker. Woodbridge plays his 28th Davis Cup tie for Australia here this week, equalling the record set 60 years ago by Adrian Quist.

Unlike players from some nations, he hasn't earned a cent from any of those appearances, but according to Woodbridge, his efforts have been repaid in full.

"I never thought that at the beginning I'd be here for this long," Woodbridge said. "But to be on top of that list of Australian champions who have played Davis Cup is something I will be very proud of."

For Woodbridge the evolution from one of the world's best junior singles player of his day to the leading doubles player of his era has been a natural one.

"After the juniors the others just got better in singles," he said. "But there's more than one way to play tennis."

While he won only two senior singles titles, Woodbridge still has more than a few significant solo successes to his name. In 1989, for instance, he became the first player to beat Pete Sampras at Wimbledon.

The same year he was a junior finalist in singles at Wimbledon and at the Australian Open, as he had been in 1987.

Woodbridge won his first senior doubles title in 1988 in Madrid and his first grand slam crown two years later, taking the US mixed championship with compatriot Liz Smylie.

The rise toward the top of the doubles world came when he began a partnership with South Australia's Mark Woodforde, the pair forming a team that became known as "The Woodies". Together they dominated doubles tennis for a decade, winning the first of five consecutive Wimbledon titles in 1993. The Woodies won 11 Grand Slam doubles titles together, more than any other pair. Woodbridge has added another four with Swede Jonas Bjorkman and has also won four mixed doubles crowns.

For his efforts in a form of the game in which some believe success should be rewarded with a food hamper or a new racquet, he has collected almost $US10 million ($A15.07 million) in prizemoney.

The heartening part of a world in which players usually do nothing without being paid is that he, like all Australians, place their honorary roles in the Davis Cup as second only to the grand slams. Unlike the Americans, for example, who regularly struggle to get anyone in their top 10 to play, despite paying them $US100,000 ($A150,715) a head.

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September 20, 2003

Sydney Morning Herald

Lleyton Hewitt got Australia off to the perfect start in the Davis Cup semi-final against Switzerland yesterday, notching a straight-sets win in the opening singles rubber.

The world No.7 had been expected to crush his Swiss opponent Michel Kratochvil and he didn't let anyone down, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 in 108 minutes.

"Obviously I felt good out there," Hewitt said. "I played well and I was aggressive from the start."

Hewitt asserted himself at the earliest opportunity, breaking Kratochvil's serve in the opening game of the tie.

It turned out to be the only service break of a set in which Hewitt's own serve was never seriously threatened.

In the second set Hewitt broke in the third game to lead 2-1, with the remainder of the games again going with serve.

With the 129th-ranked Kratochvil under extreme pressure, Hewitt rolled through the third set in a tick under 30 minutes, breaking serve in the third and fifth games.

"I tried to keep the pressure on when I was 2-0 up and tried to get on top of him," Hewitt said. "Whether it was three, four or five sets I was just happy to win."

Despite coming up against a comparatively lowly ranked opponent, the win will have been a relief for Hewitt.

He had been troubled by a hip problem that hampered him during the recent US Open, and before that had been playing slightly below his best.

But yesterday's success helped rid him of any doubts he may have had.

"I felt confident, I was moving well and I've had a good preparation this week." he said.

Today's doubles match provides Hewitt's teammate Wayne Arthurs with the opportunity to atone for the misery of his previous cup appearance at Melbourne Park.

His partner, Todd Woodbridge, is hoping it will add one more victory to a list that contains plenty of them.

For Swiss captain Marc Rosset it will probably mean a lot of pain. And for his No.1 player Roger Federer it represents one more responsibility on a weekend when he is expected to carry his team single-handedly to the cup final.

On paper, the doubles is as delicately balanced as any match on the program.

Woodbridge is regarded as possibly the best doubles player in the world and Federer, the reigning Wimbledon champion, is certainly one of the form singles players.

Arthurs, the veteran, probably equates fairly closely with veteran Rosset, who believes the Australian may not handle the pressure of the match.

"The weakest point in the Australian team is Arthurs," Rosset told Swiss journalists in the lead-up to yesterday's opening singles matches.

The Australian also will be hoping the centrepiece match of the tie will help erase the memory of his loss in the Davis Cup final against France here 18 months ago.

With the tie all-square at two rubbers each, Arthurs came off the bench at the 11th hour to replace the injured Pat Rafter.

Across the net was Nicolas Escude, who in the opening match of the tie had beaten Lleyton Hewitt in five sets.

Until a few minutes before he stepped onto the court, everyone had expected Rafter to come out for what was scheduled to be his last competitive tennis match.

But a chronic arm injury forced Rafter out and put Arthurs under as much pressure as he had ever faced on a tennis court.

In the first two sets he responded bravely, losing the first in a tie-breaker and winning the second.

But the pressure eventually told, Arthurs went down in four sets and Australia lost a final it had been an overwhelming favourite to win.

The senior man on the Australian team, Arthurs was inconsolable after the match.

"It stayed with me for a while, that loss," he said this week. "It was the final, the deciding match, and I lost it."

Since then, Arthurs has had three wins in Davis Cup singles matches and he combined with Woodbridge in this year's quarter-final to beat the accomplished Swedish pair of Jonas Bjorkman and Thomas Enqvist.

"I've played OK but it would be nice to win one here in Melbourne," he said.

For a player who is a lot closer to the end of his career than to the start, some added incentive will not go astray.

AAP