There was no profitable send-off for Roger Federer as Workforce World fought again on the ultimate day to turn out to be the Laver Cup champions for 2022.
The Europeans headed into Sunday with an 8-4 lead after Djokovic dominated Saturday’s proceedings, however because of the progressive scoring system, John McEnroe’s staff instantly hit again.
The day’s first match noticed Sock and Auger-Aliassime edge Murray and Berrettini within the doubles 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 earlier than the Canadian was briskly again on the courtroom for the singles the place he took out a sluggish Djokovic 6-3, 7-6(3), who appeared to be hampered by a wrist downside.
That put Workforce World right into a 10-8 lead and simply two factors shy of victory, which meant Tsitsipas wanted to defeat Frances Tiafoe to power a deciding match between Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.
That showdown seemed on the playing cards because the Greek flew out of the blocks to take the opening set 6-1, utilizing his serve and forehand to dominate.
Nonetheless, Tiafoe grew into the match and compelled Tsitsipas to hit extra pictures on his weaker backhand wing.
Because the scoreboard acquired tighter, so did the Athenian, who didn’t fairly have the conviction on his groundstrokes from the primary set.
That allowed Tiafoe to make use of his footspeed to trace down extra balls, saving 4 match factors within the second set tie break and developing with some clutch defence within the Champions tie break to report a 1-6, 7-6(11), 10-8 victory.
Going into the match, I felt assured the situations suited Tsitsipas, who might hit by way of the courtroom with this forehand, however his backhand acquired uncovered. Tiafoe isn’t as dynamic a participant, however his backhand is extra simple, and he makes fewer errors off that wing which made the distinction.
It’s an unbelievable feeling. Our captain Jonny Mac was uninterested in shedding…saying we wanted to get it completed this 12 months on his fifth attempt. All week main up I stored saying this was our 12 months. The fellows confirmed up. Felix beat Novak, Jack and Felix additionally performed unbelievable doubles. All of us did it collectively, it wasn’t simply me. I confirmed a number of coronary heart to get this completed. That is huge. We’re going to have fun huge tonight. Frances Tiafoe throughout his on courtroom interview
So a disappointing finish to the weekend from the European perspective, however Workforce World had been due a win in some unspecified time in the future, and it does make the occasion extra attention-grabbing once they attempt to maintain the trophy on residence soil subsequent 12 months when the match is held in Vancouver.
The Laver Cup Entertains
Other than the consequence and Federer’s retirement, which was each a tragic and an incredible evening on the identical time, the Laver Cup delivered a extremely entertaining weekend of tennis with packed crowds and many memorable moments.
Highlights for me had been seeing Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray in the identical staff for the primary and final time, listening to Djokovic teaching on the bench, and the general camaraderie between each groups is nice to look at.
To prime it off, the match could be very nicely organised, has a excessive manufacturing worth and runs easily for these watching dwell or at residence.
Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how issues go subsequent 12 months with no Federer in a enjoying capability. However I want they’d take it to extra thrilling locations that don’t get dwell tennis all that always.
London labored out nicely this 12 months, given the circumstances, however I’d like to see it held in some totally different cities. Vancouver, a part of a rustic that freezes your checking account if you happen to purchase a sandwich for a protester, isn’t inspiring me 🙂
Did you guys benefit from the 2022 Laver Cup? Let me know within the feedback.
