Federer seals first Davis Cup title for Switzerland

Roger Federer celebrates after winning the Davis Cup title for Switzerland in Lille on Sunday.

Lille: Swiss Tennis player Roger Federer gave his country its first Davis Cup title in Lille on Sunday, defeating Richard Gasquet of France in straight sets of 6-4, 6-2 and 6-2; seal Switzerland’s maiden Davis Cup title with a 3-1 win over hosts France on Sunday. The 17-times grand slam champion came back strongly from back injury and recovered from Friday’s defeat by Gael Monfils to hand France a third defeat in their last three finals.

Federer with his 17 Grand Slam titles, six Masters titles and Olympic doubles gold and left with only an Olympics gold to win in Rio 2016 to become the third person in the world after Nadal and Andre Agassii , to win all 4 grand slam titles including Olympic and Davis Cup title.

Federer had expected to play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first of Sunday's two rubbers, but the French number one, who lost to Wawrinka in four sets on Friday, was struggling with an arm injury and forced to pull out.

With a support of record 27,448 supporters Gasquet performance was decent and also not so energetic under his home support.

Gasquet, sent to the clay court by Captain Arnaud Clement in place of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, looked slightly better at the beginning of the third set as Federer became careless.

But the Swiss, who withdrew from last Sunday’s ATP World Tour final with a back injury, was still the sharper player and he broke on his first opportunity in the fifth game when Gasquet sent a backhand wide.

Stan Wawrinka gave them the first point by beating Tsonga in the first singles rubber before Monfils levelled on Friday. Switzerland was 2-1 up going into Sunday’s reverse singles after Wawrinka and Federer teamed up to beat Gasquet and Julien Benneteau in the doubles on Saturday.

 The fifth match between Wawrinka and Monfils was cancelled.

Michael Schumacher paralysed & speechless

Michael Schumacher 'is paralysed, wheelchair-bound and unable to speak.

Ex- Formula One driver Philippee Streiff has claimed that Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is paralysed and is on wheel chair. He also claimed that he has some memory and speech problems from the brain injuries he sustained in a skiing accident in France last year. The 45-year-old seven-time champion cannot speak and has memory problems.

Streiff, 59, who himself had a crash in year 1989, went to seen Schumacher when the German was in intensive care in Grenoble Hospital, France.

Streiff, who was paralysed by a crash in 1989, said: “He is getting better but everything is relative. It’s very difficult. He can’t speak. Like me he is in a wheelchair, paralysed. He has memory problems and speech problems.”

Schumacher, 45, suffered head injuries in the December 2013 fall and was placed in an induced coma by doctors. A doctor who helped treat Schumacher in Grenoble after his skiing accident claimed last month that it could take years to recover from his severe injuries.

“I have noticed some progress but I would say we will have to give him time. It is like for other patients. We are in a time scale of one to three years, so you need patience,”Jean-Francois Payen said.

“It is like for other patients. We are in a time scale of one to three years, so you need patience.”

Schumacher spent nine months in hospital before returning to his home in Lake Geneva to continue his recovery. Schumacher was transferred to Lausanne Hospital, Switzerland, in June and he is now being cared for at his home in Lake Geneva.

Schumacher’s family thanked fans for their support.

Bianchi out of 'Coma', back in France

Jules Bianchi out of artificial coma but still unconscious and in 'critical' condition.

The Marussia driver Jules Bianchi 25 is out of the artificial coma due to his head injuries when he crashed at the Japanese Grand prix in October. Bianchi suffered a diffuse axonal injury  when he crashed into a recovery vehicle at Suzuka circuit.

The driver however remains unconscious and is in a critical condition, according to a statement released by the family. During the race his car was collided with a tractor vehicle, recovering Adrian Sutil's Sauber who also had a crash on the previous lap.

The statement, released by his parents Philippe and Christine, "Almost seven weeks after Jules' accident at Suzuka Circuit, and following a challenging period of neurological intensive care, we are able to announce that Jules has made an important step”.

"Although the situation continues to be serious, and may remain so, it was decided that Jules was sufficiently stable to be repatriated to his native France."

His family praised the "outstanding care" he received following the accident from doctors at the Mie General Medical Centre in Yokkaichi. "We are thankful the next phase of Jules' treatment can continue close to home, where he can be surrounded and supported by his wider family and friends," they said.

Since the crash, the Formula One governing body has begun working on plan for virtual safety car during the accidents which would force the drivers to slow down their speeds in an accidents zone follow the slow warning flags in an accident zone.