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FEDERER

Federer and Wawrinka out of Davis Cup squad

Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka, who led Switzerland to last year's Davis Cup, have both turned their back on the squad for this year's first round tie against Belgium next month.

Federer and Wawrinka out of Davis Cup squad
Photo: Nikki Short/AFP

A Swiss Tennis Federation statement late on Friday confirmed the pair "have decided to not make themselves available" for the tie in Liege from March 6-8.

Federation president Rene Stammbach had hinted last month during the Australian Open that the chances of seeing the pair in first round action were slim.

"I'm the first to understand that priorities change in the year after a Davis Cup victory and that it isn't that easy to get back into the fray," Stammbach said.

From Rotterdam, where hs is competing in the ATP event, Wawrinka said after reaching the semi-finals: "After long weeks of reflection, I have unfortunately decided not to play in this match.

"I have been a part of this Davis Cup squad for 11 years and this is the first time I have decided not to play."

Winner of last year's  Australian Open, Wawrinka explained that 2014 had been "a very long year, rich in emotion and with some incredible moments".

But he held out the hope that he would be available for selection later in the tournament if Switzerland qualified.

"After so many years on the circuit, I have taken this difficult decision in regard to my timetable for the coming weeks," he said. "This decision only concerns the first round and we'll see later if I will return to the team."

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TENNIS

Federer pockets 100th win at Wimbledon

Roger Federer racked up his 100th match win at Wimbledon on Wednesday as he reached his 13th semifinal at the All England Club and a duel with old rival Rafael Nadal.

Federer pockets 100th win at Wimbledon
Photo: Adrian Dennis/AFP
Eight-time champion Federer recovered from losing the opening set to defeat Japan's Kei Nishikori 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 to book his place in the semifinals of a Grand Slam for the 45th time.
   
The 37-year-old is also the oldest man to make the last-four of a major since Jimmy Connors at the 1991 US Open.
   
Federer will now face Nadal at Wimbledon for the first time since their epic 2008 final.
   
“We have a lot of information on Rafa and so does he about us. I know people always hype it up in a big way,” said Federer.
   
“They did that again in Paris this year (when Nadal won their semifinal in straight sets). I'd love to play against him here at Wimbledon. 
   
“But I go about it like every other match.”
   
Federer and Nadal have met 39 times in their careers but just three times at Wimbledon.
   
The Swiss star won their first two encounters in the 2006 and 2007 finals before Nadal famously triumphed in 2008 in a five-set epic which is widely regarded as the greatest Slam final ever played.
   
Federer said he was unaware that he had become the first player ever to win 100 matches at the same Slam.
   
“A fan told me congratulations on your hundredth win and I thought, oh yes, you're right!”
   
 
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