Federer in Davis Cup 2014
Switzerland's Roger Federer (R) shakes hands with France's Gael Monfils during the draw for the Davis Cup final in Lille, northern France, November 20, 2014. Federer, who has been hampered by back problems, has been named to play in the second singles rubber of the Davis Cup final against France's Gael Monfils on Friday, organisers announced on Thursday. Switzerland's world number four Stanislas Wawrinka will open proceedings against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday. Reuters

Roger Federer is aiming to give his country its first-ever Davis Cup title and he faces Gael Monfils of France on Friday night (Australia time). Federer is joined by Stan Wawrinka in the Switzerland squad along with Swiss’ doubles players Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer. France, with Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau is hoping to get their 13th overall title in the Davis Cup and hoping to stop Federer and Switzerland win their breakthrough title in the premier team tennis event in the world.

Roger Federer, who is currently ranked world no. 2 in the ATP rankings opened the his Davis Cup World Group play with a straight sets win over Ilija Bozoljac, 6-4 7-5 6-2 in the first round. With Wawrinka, Federer lost their doubles match in the quarterfinals, 4-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-7 (5) but won over GOLUBEV, Andrey Golubev and Mikhail Kukushkin, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in the singles matches to lead Switzerland to a 3-2 win. In the semifinals, Federer beat Fabio Fognini, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (4) and Simone Bolelli, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Gael Monfils, who is ranked 19th in the world, beat Australian Nick Kyrgios, 7-6 (5) 6-4 in the first round to help France to a dominating 5-0 score in to open their World Group campaign. Monfils beat Peter Gojowczyk (Germany), 6-1, 7-6 (0), 6-2 in the quarterfinals and Lukas Rosol (Czech Republic), 5-7 6-4 7-5 in the semifinals.

"Obviously if I'm stepping out on the court, that means I can play. That's most important,” Federer, who backed out of the ATP World Tour Final last week because of back spasms, said in a press conference on Thursday. I'm just really pleased that I'm actually able to play tomorrow. I'll give it a go. Definitely looking forward to playing against Gael. I think he's a great player, very exciting to watch. I like to play against him, too.”

For his part, Monfils knows that he has to be in-form against Federer, whether the Swiss Maestro is 100 per cent or not.

"Definitely I expect to play a big match again because I know I need to play a big match to beat him. I'm very happy to have this opportunity again,” Monfils, who is 2-8 all time against Federer, said. Federer has beaten Monfils twice already in 2014 including a classic comeback win at the 2014 US Open . Monfils took the first two sets, 4-6, 3-6 but Federer won the last three, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of that Grand Slam.

The Davis Cup format calls for a total of five matches— two singles matches each on the first and last days and with the doubles match scheduled on the second day. Whichever wins the most matches in the three-day event will win the crown. Federer’s compatriot and World No. 4 Wawrinka will face Tsonga also on Friday with the reverse singles; Federer vs. Tsonga and Wawrinka vs. Monfils scheduled on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Watch 2014 Davis Cup: Switzerland vs. France, Roger Federer vs. Gael Monfils live streaming via the tournament’s official website with live scores and news updates of the match.

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