Switzerland, Kazakhstan level at 2-2 in Davis Cup

GENEVA (AP) — Stanislas Wawrinka brought Switzerland level at 2-2 with Kazakhstan in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Sunday, rallying to beat Mikhail Kukushkin in four sets.

Wawrinka, the Australian Open champion, never dropped serve in winning 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to earn his first point in the series.

Roger Federer was playing the decisive singles match against 64th-ranked Andrey Golubev, who is unbeaten this weekend.

Switzerland is aiming for its first Davis Cup semifinal place in 11 years, cheered on by a raucous 16,000 crowd at the Palexpo indoor arena.

The winner will play Britain or Italy in September.

The third-ranked Wawrinka did not allow Kukushkin any break points in the match, but the 56th-ranked Kazakh dominated the tiebreaker and clinched the first set when the Swiss sent a backhand return long.

Wawrinka then used service breaks in the fifth game of the second set and opening game of the third set to take control.

He forced the decisive break at 4-4 in the fourth, with a forehand crosscourt return for a winner.

Wawrinka clinched the match with his 25th ace.