Federer to face 436th-ranked Dutch opponent in Davis Cup

GENEVA — Second-ranked Roger Federer will face No. 436 Jesse Huta Galung in Davis Cup singles on Friday when Switzerland hosts the Netherlands in a World Group playoff.

Fourth-ranked Stan Wawrinka was drawn on Thursday to open the five-match series for the home team against No. 144 Thiemo De Bakker.

Federer and Wawrinka, the 2008 Olympic doubles champions, are scheduled to face the pairing of Matwe Middelkoop and Tim van Rijthoven on Saturday — two players ranked Nos. 563 and 1,180, respectively.

The best-of-five series on hard court at Palexpo arena in Geneva will decide which team stays in the 16-nation World Group next year.

Switzerland won the 2014 Davis Cup title, then lost in the first round in March when Federer and Wawrinka skipped an away series against Belgium.

(Sources from Philstar.com and Philippinemavericks.com)