Federer fit to play in Davis Cup final

Roger Federer will play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup final against France in Lille on Friday.

There had been concerns in the Swiss camp that he would be unable to compete after injuring his back playing in London last weekend.

But the draw announced on Thursday afternoon lined him up against Gael Monfils in the second of the opening two singles rubbers.

French No.1 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga plays Stan Wawrinka in the opening match.

The doubles on Saturday pits Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet of France against the Swiss pairing of Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer.

Sunday’s reverse singles will start with Tsonga against Federer to be followed by Monfils versus Wawrinka.

Federer injured his back playing Wawrinka in the last four at the ATP World Tour finals in London on Saturday evening and was unable to contest the final the following day against Novak Djokovic.

He was unable to train at the indoor clay court in Lille, which is hosting this year’s final, on Monday and Tuesday.

But he had a short practice session on Wednesday evening and did so again on Thursday morning just before the draw was made.

The 17-time major title winner has never before appeared in a Davis Cup final and he has made winning the trophy for Switzerland for the first time a priority.

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