GENEVA: Roger Federer gave Switzerland a 1-0 lead over Italy in the Davis Cup semifinals by beating Simone Bolelli 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4 Friday.
Federer, seeking to help the Swiss to a first Davis Cup title, was rarely under pressure at the Palexpo indoor arena.
"I had to wait for a while to get my first break," said Federer, who took the only chances he needed midway through the second set and early in the third. "After that it was easy to play with the lead but it was a tough match, as the score suggests."
The 76th-ranked Bolelli hit more winners than Federer -- 33 to 30 -- but failed to convert any of his three break-point chances.
"Not being broken (on serve) is always a great thing. That's what most pleased me," said Federer, who improved to 36-7 in Davis Cup singles, including 15-1 on hard courts.
Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka was playing 17th-ranked Fabio Fognini in the second match.
In the other semifinal series, France leads the two-time defending champion Czech Republic 2-0.
Federer talked this week of his anticipation to play in front of a home crowd of more than 18,000 people -- the second biggest in world tennis, he said. The Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows holds more than 22,000.
The first set went with serve to the tiebreaker as neither player created a chance to break.
Federer took his third set point with a flat backhand across the court which Bolelli could not handle.
The Swiss No. 1 took his first chance to break for a 4-3 lead in the second. He raced in behind a strong return and pressured Bolelli into netting a forehand.
Serving for the set, Federer saved two break chances before taking his fifth chance to clinch with a high volley winner.
A fortunate net cord for Federer, barely creeping on to the Italian's side of the court, clinched an early and decisive break in the third.
Federer double-faulted on his first match point, then clinched with a forehand winner at the net.
