LILLE, France -- Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka defeated Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to give Switzerland a 2-1 lead over France in the Davis Cup final on Saturday.
Federer and Wawrinka did not concede a single break and dominated the key points to withstand their opponent's charge in the second set.
The teams ended the first day level at 1-1 after Wawrinka defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Federer lost in straight sets to Gael Monfils in the opening singles.
Federer's prediction that he would play better despite his bad back was right, with the 17-time Grand Slam champion serving and moving far better on the clay.
Federer and Wawrinka, who won doubles gold at the 2008 Olympics, ended a four-game losing streak in Davis Cup after posting their first win together in the event in three years.
