Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Frances Tiafoe and Team World stun Europe and Roger Federer to win tournament
Team World produced a stunning upset as they swept all three matches on Sunday, with Felix Auger-Aliassime beating Novak Djokovic and Tiafoe defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas
Team World produced a stunning comeback on the final day to shock Team Europe and win the Laver Cup for the first time, denying Roger Federer on the final tournament of his career.
The World team, who had lost all four previous editions of the Laver Cup, needed to win three out of four matches to defeat the European team but swept a dramatic day to upset the odds at the O2 Arena in London. The script was flipped in style following the opening two matches of the day. After Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini were beaten in the doubles, Felix Auger-Aliassime produced a stunning performance in the singles to defeat Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6.
It left the World needing just one victory to lift the Laver Cup, and Frances Tiafoe produced it with a thrilling comeback victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas, in which he saved four match points and won two tiebreaks. It came after Federer waved a tearful farewell to tennis following his emotional defeat alongside Rafael Nadal on the opening night, on what was a special weekend of tennis.
Relive the action from the final day of the Laver Cup, below:
Laver Cup 2022: Murray / Berrettini vs Sock / Auger-Aliassime
Here come the introductions: there have been a bit of a change to Europe’s team since the opening day but the World are the same.
Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Frances Tiafoe will all be hoping to play big matches today. Jack Sock plays his third doubles match shortly, while Alex De Minaur, Diego Schwartzman and the reserve Tommy Paul have the day off.
Laver Cup 2022: Murray / Berrettini vs Sock / Auger-Aliassime
There have been some famous famous doing the coin toss at the Laver Cup so far, including Anna Wintour yesterday. Today actor Tom Hiddlestone and England captain Leah Williamson will be doing in the honours in the first two matches.
Laver Cup 2022: Murray / Berrettini vs Sock / Auger-Aliassime
Final warm-ups are taking place ahead the opening doubles match of the day. Judging by the previous two days, we will have the same team introductions at the O2 Arena from 12pm.
Laver Cup 2022: Do Team World have a chance?
If they are to end four years of defeats and win their first Laver Cup, Team World will need to produce something special on the final day of the tournament in London.
To get to 13 points, John McEnroe’s team must win three matches of today’s four to steal an unlikely victory.
Given Djokovic’s form yesterday, and with Europe certain to get a point from his match, that leaves the World looking to get all three from the rest of the schedule.
Anything can happen in doubles given these partnerships are brand new, but even if they do win the opening match Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz have a tough ask to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud respectively.
Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray on ‘special’ Laver Cup debut
Andy Murray admitted tiredness played a part in his opening singles defeat to Alex de Minaur on Friday, but on his Laver Cup debut the Brit will hope to enjoy the “special” atmosphere of the tournament again today when he plays doubles alongside Matteo Berrettini.
“It was incredible, one of the most special matches that I have played, to be honest,” he said following Friday’s defeat, with his great rivals Federer, Nadal and Djokovic all courtside.
“I gave everything on the court today. I tried my hardest. I was really disappointed not to get the win, but I gave everything. I was really tired. You know, after probably about a set and a half I was struggling, but I gave my all and it was fun.
“I have never experienced that before obviously as I have not played inthis event, and I know when the event started there was me probably a bit as well like skeptical about that side of things, but being part of it was really, really special.”
Laver Cup 2022: Djokovic strikes up quick partnership with Berrettini
Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini were impressive as doubles teammates last night and the Serbain said they had just “10 minutes” to prepare for their first match together, not that you could have been able to tell judging by their play.
Djokovic said: “After singles we had 10 minutes really. The actual conversation started to happen when I was in the toilet. So, you know, if I really need to explain it vividly how it happened, I mean, that’s how it happened.
“He was like jumping around trying to warm up. I was trying to get some food or shower and it was, like, Where do you play? But it happened very quickly. Again, last night we went to sleep, didn’t have a chance. He was focusing on his singles; I was focusing on mysingles.
“But we never played together, you know. But the way we played on the court, seemed like we played many, many times before. Hopefully he’s going to give me this pleasure to play with him again.”
Laver Cup 2022: Djokovic thanks Federer for ‘beautiful’ farewell at Laver Cup
Novak Djokovic then expressed his gratitude at being part of Roger Federer’s “beautiful” farewell to professional tennis but admitted to being left with mixed emotions over the retirement of his rival.
Djokovic, speaking after his singles’ victory over Tiafoe on Saturday, said: “Well, I think we would all agree this was one of the most beautiful moments anyone has experienced live or on a tennis court worldwide.
“We all knew it would be an emotional farewell for Roger but I think we were all taken away by the moment.
“At the same time it is a mix of emotions. Sadness because one of the greatest athletes of all time is leaving the sport but on the other hand seeing him happy with the way it all played out, I was just very grateful and privileged to be alongside other Team World and Europe players to witness that.
“It was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced in my life, for sure.”
Laver Cup 2022: Day two recap as Djokovic takes control
Novak Djokovic made up for lost time with two victories in rapid fashion to help Team Europe take control of the Laver Cup on the second day of the team competition in London.
A day after Roger Federer’s emotional farewell to competitive tennis alongside Rafael Nadal in the early hours of Saturday morning at the O2, Djokovic took centre stage with a routine win over Team World’s Frances Tiafoe before he partnered up with Matteo Berrettini to beat Jack Sock and Alex de Minaur in the doubles.
It put Team Europe 8-4 up going into the final day and with points on Sunday worth three, the hosts will wrap up a fifth consecutive title with two more triumphs in the race to hit the 13-point mark.
It meant Berrettini also celebrated two victories on Saturday after he had been subbed in for Federer, who remained at the Ryder Cup-style event that was his brainchild in a supporting capacity.
The Italian produced his best tennis during a tie-breaker to down Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (11) 4-6 10-7 in another lengthy Laver Cup battle between the duo.
British number one Cameron Norrie did not fare as well when he stepped into the shoes of Nadal, who pulled out of the event after his iconic role in Federer’s farewell. Norrie fought back well from a poor start against Taylor Fritz but the American triumphed 6-1 4-6 10-8 in what proved Team World’s only points of the day.
Novak Djokovic’s two victories help Europe take control of Laver Cup
Team Europe hold an 8-4 advantage over their counterparts from the rest of the world in the race to 13 at the Laver Cup
Laver Cup 2022: Results so far
Friday September 23, 2022
1.00pm Day Session
Match 1 – Casper Ruud def. Jack Sock - 6-4 5-7 (10-7)
Match 2 – Stefanos Tsistipas def. Diego Schwartzman - 6-2 6-1
7.00pm – Night Session
Match 3 – Andy Murray (7-5, 3-6, 7-10) Alex De Minaur
Match 4 – Roger Federer / Rafael Nadal (6-4, 6-7, 9-11) Jack Sock / Frances Tiafoe
Saturday September 24, 2022
1.00pm Day Session
Match 5 – M Berrettini def. F Auger-Aliassime 7-6 4-6 (10-7)
Match 6 – T Fritz def. C Norrie 6-1 4-6 (10-8)
7.00pm – Night Session
Match 7 – N Djokovic def. F Tiafoe 6-1 6-3
Match 8 – M Berrettini / N Djokovic def. A De Minaur / J Sock 7-5 6-2
Laver Cup 2022: How to watch online and on TV
The tournament will be shown in the UK on Eurosport. It will also be available to stream online on Discovery Plus.
Will Roger Federer be playing any further part?
Given this is his last tournament, Federer did opt to take part in the Laver Cup but because of his injury issues and his lack of matches over the last year, he only competed on Friday.
Federer played alongside his long-term rival Rafael Nadal in Friday night’s doubles, eventually being defeated by Team World pair Jack Sock and Francis Tiafoe.
The rules are that all players must play at least one singles match on either Friday or Saturday, so after he completed the Friday doubles, the 41-year-old was withdrawn from the tournament and replaced by Team Europe alternate Matteo Berrettini.
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