France, Switzerland get close to Davis Cup finals' berth

Paris: France and Switzerland both moved to within one point of the Davis Cup final on Friday when they swept the opening two singles rubbers in their respective semi-finals.

In Geneva, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka both won to put Switzerland 2-0 up against Italy.

In Paris, Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga were the winners against defending champions the Czech Republic.

Both countries now just need a win in Saturday's doubles to be sure of reaching the November 21-23 final.

Federer defeated Simone Bolleli 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-4 in the opening rubber of their semi-final against Italy and then Wawrinka crushed Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.

Australian Open champion Wawrinka was never troubled by Fognini, dominating the Italian with 37 winners, and 16 aces.

That left the Swiss on the cusp of reaching the Davis Cup final for just the second time after finishing second to the United States in 1992.

France untroubled against Czech Republic:

Playing at the French Open base of Roland Garros in Paris, French number one Tsonga coasted to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win over Lukas Rosol following Gasquet's upset 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory over top Czech player Tomas Berdych.

The Czech team spearhead claimed one of those breaks back to get to 3-1 but Gasquet held firm and broke again to take the set 6-2.

Hewitt, Kyrgios give Australia 2-0 lead over Uzbekistan:

Lleyton Hewitt won his 41st singles match and Nick Kyrgios swept through in straight sets as Australia took a commanding 2-0 lead over Uzbekistan in their Davis Cup World Group play-off Friday.

Hewitt, 33, playing in his record 38th Davis Cup tie, outgunned Farrukh Dustov 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to capitalise on rising youngster Kyrgios's opening rubber victory over Denis Istomin.

Kyrgios, 19, who reached this year's Wimbledon quarter-finals and the third round at the US Open, powered past Istomin 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in a crushing blow for the Uzbeks' chances of winning the grass-court tie in Perth.

US take 2-0 lead over Slovakia:

Sam Querrey gave the U.S. a commanding 2-0 lead Friday night in its Davis Cup World Group playoff against Slovakia with a 7-6 (6), 6-3, 6-3 win over Martin Klizan.

In the opening match of the night, American John Isner hit 29 aces in a 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-2 win over Norbert Gombos.