Davis Cup 2014: Gael Monfils Stuns Struggling Roger Federer to Draw France Level

France and Switzerland are level with a point each following the opening day of the Davis Cup that saw Gael Monfils ease past Roger Federer in straight sets.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer was clearly still struggling from the back injury that forced him to withdraw from his ATP World Tour final clash with Novak Djokovic in London just six days ago.

Monfils did not hesitate to capitalise and sealed an emphatic 6-1 6-4 6-3 win, exacting revenge on the world number two who came from behind to seal victory in their last meeting at the quarter-final stages of the US Open in September.

Federer's teammate Stanislas Wawrinka had earlier got Switzerland off to a positive start at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille. The World number four saw off the challenge of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, defeating the Frenchman 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-2 on Friday afternoon.

Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer of Switzerland will face French duo Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet in Saturday's doubles match with the reverse singles taking place when the finals conclude on Sunday.