Switzerland’s brief reign as Davis Cup holders was swiftly ended when they paid the inevitable price for fielding a second-string team and lost 3-2 to Belgium in the first round in Liege yesterday.

Just over three months since Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka drove them to an historic title in Lille, it was a different story without their big two as the Swiss became the first champions in 10 years to fall at the first hurdle.

Federer and Wawrinka had chosen to stand aside after achieving their ambitions and the stand-ins were not able to upset the odds against much higher-ranked players despite a heroic effort from 22-year-old Henri Laaksonen.

The world number 344, who previously played for Finland, levelled the tie at 2-2 with a 6-3 3-6 3-6 7-6 (5) 6-1 win over Steve Darcis, a player ranked 242 places higher.

Switzerland’s hopes, though, were extinguished in the deciding rubber when David Goffin, the world number 21 who was rested on Friday because of concerns over a back injury, proved too good for number 321 Adrien Bossel and won 6-4 6-0 6-4.

Results
Germany vs France 2-3; Britain vs USA 3-2; Czech Rep. vs Australia 2-3; Kazakhstan vs Italy 3-2; Argentina vs Brazil 2-2; Serbia vs Croatia 5-0; Canada vs Japan 2-1; Belgium vs Switzerland 3-2.

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