Federer downs 'Scud' to level Davis tie

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer swept past big-serving Mark Philippoussis today to haul Switzerland level 1-1 in their Davis…

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer swept past big-serving Mark Philippoussis today to haul Switzerland level 1-1 in their Davis Cup semi-final against Australia.

Runner-up to Federer at Wimbledon in July, Philippoussis's key weapon deserted him at Melbourne Park as the Swiss broke serve five times in his 6-3, 6-4 ,7-6 victory.

"I'm on a 10-match [Davis Cup] winning streak now so I'm very happy with my game," said Federer, who will play doubles on Saturday and reverse singles on Sunday.

Australia's former world number one Lleyton Hewitt had earlier given Australia the perfect start to the tie with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 win over Michel Kratochvil.

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The winner of this semi will face either Spain or Argentina in November's final.