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Geneva - Roger Federer has taken Switzerland to its first Davis Cup final in 22 years, beating Fabio Fognini of Italy in the opening reverse singles for a winning 3-1 lead in their semifinal.
Federer celebrated with skipping jumps across the court on completing a 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (4) win against the 17th-ranked Fognini.
"It's fabulous to share in this moment," Federer said in an on-court interview after being hoisted on the shoulders of teammate Stan Wawrinka and captain Severin Luethi for a lap of honor round the court.
Their celebrations delighted a noisy 18 000-plus crowd at the Palexpo indoor arena on Sunday.
Switzerland will play at France in the final from 21 to 23 November.
The French beat two-time defending champion Czech Republic this weekend.
Switzerland has never won the 114-year-old competition and lost its only final in 1992 against a United States team of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras.
Fognini raised his play in the third set, forcing four break-point chances which Federer saved, and punching the air when good defense won a key point on his own serve.
In a series of longer rallies, Fognini's varied play moved Federer around the court but could not create a decisive break.
