Australia and Switzerland's Davis Cup promotion hopes hang by a thread

Sydney, Sep 18(ANI): Lleyton Hewitt is hanging on by a thread in his bid to ensure that Australia takes a 3-2 lead over Switzerland in the Davis Cup world group play-off against Switzerland in Sydney.

Play was suspended in the fifth set of the decisive rubber due to bad light with Hewitt trailing Stanislas Wawrinka at 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7), 4-6, 3-5 after 3 hours and 58 minutes of play, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Earlier, Roger Federer had defeated Bernard Tomic 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to help Switzerland level the encounter at 2-2.

If Hewitt wins his match it would secure Australia's place back in the Davis Cup world group for 2012.

Australia have not been in the world group since 2007. (ANI)