Group World moved to inside one win of retaining its Laver Cup title on Saturday evening when Felix Auger-Aliassime and Ben Shelton downed Hubert Hurkacz and Gael Monfils to provide John McEnroe’s facet a 10-2 lead towards Group Europe.
After Casper Ruud had given Group Europe its first factors earlier on Saturday, Frances Tiafoe responded to regain momentum for Group World. Auger-Aliassime and Shelton’s 7-5, 6-4 victory means Group World must win one of many remaining 4 matches on Sunday to raise the trophy for the second consecutive 12 months. Every match on Sunday might be value three factors.
“It’s superb,” Shelton stated. “If you play with a man who serves and returns like Felix and is as athletic as him and goes again for the overhead and is as robust as him. It’s a enjoyable outing right here. We name him Laver Cup Felix as a result of he turns into one thing particular this week. I’m joyful I received to share the court docket with him at the least as soon as.”
Competing in Vancouver, Canadian Auger-Aliassime and American Shelton received 81 per cent (42/52) of their first-serve and factors and saved all three break factors they confronted to triumph after one hour and 23 minutes.
Tiafoe confronted strain Saturday night when he stepped on court docket on the Laver Cup. Not solely was the American attempting to halt Group Europe’s momentum after Ruud received the second match of the day, however Tiafoe was attempting to flip the script towards Hurkacz, who had received their previous three Lexus ATP Head2Head conferences.
Mission achieved for the 25-year-old. Tiafoe defeated Hurkacz 7-5, 6-3.
“I simply suppose being in a crew setting is so international to us tennis gamers,” Tiafoe stated. “It’s such a person sport. However I simply got here out and I simply wish to compete for the blokes and play properly for the blokes. I wish to placed on a present.
‘Game On, Baby!’ Ruud Puts Team Europe On The Board At Laver Cup
The No. 11 participant within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Tiafoe had misplaced three consecutive singles matches getting into the encounter. However after incomes a doubles victory alongside Tommy Paul on Friday night, Tiafoe rose to the event in Vancouver. He harnessed the vitality of the group to face up to 11 aces from Hurkacz.
Within the vital moments, it was the American who thrived. Tiafoe saved the one break level he confronted whereas changing three of his 5 alternatives to triumph after one hour and 13 minutes.
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