John Isner ended with four quick aces to close out a 5-0 weekend home thrashing of Switzerland on clay, with the Americans now waiting for a Davis Cup World group quarterfinal opponent from the Canada-France tie.
Sunday’s first round reverse singles at the Forum Fribourg on what turned out to be fast indoor clay due a Swiss strategic miscalculation, was meaningless in a tie, which had been decided 3-0 on Saturday when Olympic gold medallists Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka were beaten in doubles.
In Sunday’s reverse singles, Isner beat Federer’s good friend Marco Chiuidnelli 6-3, 6-4, following up on a successful Davis Cup debut for teenaged Ryan Harrison, who defeated number 251 Swiss Michael Lammer 7-6 (7-0), 7-6 (7-4).
“This was a big step forward for our guys to come in here and play against a team of this calibre,” said be-suited captain Jim Courier, whose “uniform” is the stockbroker look on court.
“Our attitude remained strong all the while and we were ready for whatever. That is what you need for any road tie.
“We have the worst draw you could have on paper. But you saw what paper means — absolutely nothing.”
