PARIS (AFP) ― Switzerland, Italy and France all staged thrilling comebacks on Sunday to reach the Davis Cup semifinals.

Roger Federer, the 17-time Grand Slam title winner, and Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka won their reverse singles as Switzerland beat Kazakhstan 3-2 in Geneva.

In their first semifinal since 2003 they will face Italy who defeated Great Britain 3-2 in Naples.

France came back from 2-0 down to see off underdogs Germany 3-2 in Nancy and will face two-time defending champions Czech Republic who crushed Japan 5-0.

World number four Federer, who had never played a decisive Davis Cup rubber, cruised past world 64 Andrey Golubev 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-3 for the winning point.

Earlier, world number three Wawrinka beat Mikhail Kukushkin, the world 56, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to bring Switzerland level.

It was a much-needed win for Wawrinka who had lost his singles opener to Golubev on Friday and then teamed with Federer in a losing doubles on Saturday.

“I have had two very, very difficult days,” admitted Wawrinka. “I take responsibility for our defeat in the doubles, I didn’t do what was necessary.”

Federer played in the Swiss team which lost to Australia in the 2003 semifinals, surrendering a two-sets to love lead against Lleyton Hewitt.

“It was one of my biggest defeats. But I learned a lot and if I have had the career I’ve had since that time, it was due to matches like that.”

Italy foiled Britain’s dream of a first semifinal appearance in 33 years with a battling 3-2 quarter-fin