Roger Federer led the Swiss back into the World Group with a 3-2 win over Italy.
 
The Swiss side led 2-1 after losing Saturday’s doubles and Federer eased past Potito Starace 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 earlier today to put the tie beyond reach. After heavy rain, the clay court was very damp and Starace caused problems early on with his clever dropshots but it’s hard to keep Federer guessing for too long and the world number one was soon moving Starace to all corners of the court.
 
The Davis Cup is one of the few big titles in the sport Federer has yet to get his hands on and with Stanislas Wawrinka also in great form, Switzerland will be a formidable side providing Federer chooses to play in March’s World Group round one tie.
 
There were many other World Group playoffs taking place this weekend. Novak Djokovic and his Serbian team-mates thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0. With Janko Tipsarevic and the rapidly improving Victor Troicki they will be dangerous in 2010.
 
France suffered a shock first round upset against the Czech Republic back in March but there was no repeat against the Netherlands. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils spearheaded the team to a 4-1 victory though Tsonga had a few nervy moments in his four set win over former junior world number one Thiemo De Bakker. 
 
Robin Soderling single-handedly ensured Sweden beat Romania 3-2. Soderling has had the best year of his career, making the French Open final and the US Open quarters and he won all three rubbers. However Sweden are a shadow of the side they were a few years ago, after the retirements of Jonas Bjorkman and Thomas Johansson.