Team Europe edge closer to Laver Cup glory after sweeping Saturday matches to open commanding lead
Team Europe are on the cusp of victory after building a commanding 11-1 lead heading into the final day of the Laver Cup in Boston.
Friday’s opening matches had seen victories for Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, Norwegian debutant Casper Ruud and Russian Andrey Rublev in Boston before Team World claimed the doubles to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
The format of the tournament, helped created by Roger Federer, sees two points awarded for a win on the second day and then three in each match on the final day meaning Europe are one win away from retaining the title.
Getting it done for #TeamEurope 💪@steftsitsipas scores a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kyrgios. #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/LUvDHD5xOX
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 25, 2021
In Saturday’s opening singles, Team Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg, further extended their advantage as Stefanos Tsitsipas, the world No 3, beat Australian Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 6-4.
Tsitsipas took a time out early during the second set to change his shoes, which saw Kyrgios laugh and shaking his head – the Greek having come in for criticism from Andy Murray for an extended bathroom break during their match at the US Open.
The second singles match was a much closer contest, but again Team Europe clinched victory as Alexander Zverev, the German world number four, beat American John Isner 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (6-8), 10-5 in a third-set tiebreak.
Saturday’s final singles match saw US Open champion Daniil Medvedev easily account for Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-4,6-0, with the world No 2 breaking his opponent’s serve four time to finish the match in just 75 minutes.
The 25-year-old Russian said on court afterwards: “I played unbelievably, especially the second set.
“I didn’t know what to expect because after the US Open, I didn’t play for a week and a half. Came here, practised as much as I could the past three days, so I didn’t hit many balls, but was surprisingly feeling well.”
His compatriot Andrey Rublev paired with Tsitsipas in the day’s final match, with the duo faltering early before finishing 6-7 (8-10), 6-3, 10-4 over Isner and Kyrgios to push Team Europe to 11-1.
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