Roger Federer wins to give Swiss 1-1 tie with Czechs in Davis Cup playoffs
Roger Federer defeated Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5) Friday to help Switzerland to a 1-1 tie against the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup playoffs.
Federer is making his 2007 debut for Switzerland in the Davis Cup, with a spot in next year's World Group on the line.

"It was a very tough match in the end, but it did not look it at the beginning," Federer said. "I hope we can finish off on Saturday. I hope not to play on Sunday."

In Saturday's doubles, Federer and Wawrinka is schedule to team against Martin Damm and Lukas Dlouhy .

Berdych and Federer will open the reverse singles on Sunday, followed by Stepanek taking on Wawrinka.

Federer broke Stepanek for a 4-2 lead in the first set. The top-ranked player continued his dominance in the second, breaking for a 3-1 lead and finishing the set with a love game.

Stepanek double-faulted to give Federer a 2-1 lead in the third set. But he fought back to level at 5-5, converting his third break point in the game.

Stepanek, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of about 14,000 spectators, quickly built a 4-1 lead in the ensuing tiebreaker and held on to win.

Stepanek fought off three match points against his serve in the fourth, before sending the match into another tiebreaker. This time, Federer took a 4-2 lead and converted his seventh match point when Stepanek netted a backhand return.

In September 2005, Federer helped Switzerland beat Britain 5-0 in the playoffs and did the same in a 4-1 win over Serbia last year.

Without Federer, Switzerland was relegated to the playoffs after losing to visiting Spain 3-2 in February. The Czech Republic lost to the United States 4-1 at home in the first round.