Intro:

Switzerland are on the brink of reaching the Davis Cup showpiece after taking a 2-0 lead in their semi-final against Italy.

Script:

Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka both recorded straight-sets victories to give Switzerland a 2-0 lead over Italy in the Davis Cup semi-final in Geneva on Friday.

Federer battled to a 7-5 6-4 6-4 win over 76th-ranked Simone Bolelli in the first singles rubber of their World Group semi-finals in Geneva.

Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka then dismantled 17th-ranked Fabio Fognini in the second match 6-2 6-3 6-2 after one hour and 31 minutes to edge the hosts closer to the November showpiece.

Fourth-ranked Wawrinka simply out-hit Fognini, winning the aces count 16-0 and 37-14 in total winners.

Federer and his good friend Wawrinka have a chance to give the hosts an unassailable 3-0 series lead and send Switzerland to their first final since losing to a superstar United States line-up in 1992.

The 2008 Olympic doubles gold medalists are scheduled to face Italian pair Andreas Seppi and Paolo Lorenzi in the doubles on Saturday.