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LILLE. — Roger Federer has now claimed all the big prizes on offer in tennis and, for once, will be happy to share his latest trophy with others. Federer ended a week of uncertainty about his aging back with a vintage performance to give Switzerland an emphatic victory over France and its maiden Davis Cup. His 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Richard Gasquet in the first reverse singles on Sunday sealed an unassailable 3-1 lead. That also proved to be the final result as the dead rubber between Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka wasn’t played. It took 15 years for the former top-ranked Federer to achieve Davis Cup success after making his debut in the event in 1999. No wonder he looked so emotional after converting his first match point, falling to his knees and lying face down on the court before hugging team captain Severin Luthi and his teammates.

“At the end, it’s a tennis match, you feel great emotions. You’re unbelievably happy and relieved,” said a joyful Federer.

“We wanted this clearly very badly, especially being up 2-1. You inch yourself closer and closer. — AFP.