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: Novak Djokovic 3-6 2-3 Felix Auger-Aliassime*
Federer pumps his fist as Djokovic get the better of a crucial exchange at the net at 30-15, before putting the forehand pass beyond Auger-Aliassime.
“I feel you need to break down his backhand,” Federer says. “He’s serving great, which is saving him. Let’s try to avoid in the inside-out forehand.”
Fascinating to hear those coaching bits from courtside.
Laver Cup 2022: *Novak Djokovic 3-6 1-3 Felix Auger-Aliassime
Djokovic is able to find a winner, planting the pass on the line, but Auger-Aliassime responds with some big serving to get his hold, inlcuding his eighth ace of the match so far. The 22-year-old is rolling.
Laver Cup 2022: Novak Djokovic 3-6 1-2 Felix Auger-Aliassime*
Brilliant return from Auger-Aliassime to start the Djokovic service game, he’s sensing when to attack. Djokovic’s speed is down but he still finds the ace thanks to the accuracy and he grinds out the hold as Auger-Aliassime finds the net.
Djokovic is not happy though. He continues to shake out his right right. There are some glum faces on the Europe bench.
Laver Cup 2022: *Novak Djokovic 3-6 0-2 Felix Auger-Aliassime
This is awesome from Auger-Aliassime. A winner is followed by an ace out wide as Auger-Aliassime gets to 40-0. Djokovic replies with a backhand winner down the line and then a forehand crosscourt but a forehand into the net on the second serve gets Auger-Aliassime his hold.
Now, some pictures from earlier show Djokovic receiving some treatment on his wrist in warm-up, and he’s still shaking it out occasionally on court.
Laver Cup 2022: Novak Djokovic 3-6 0-1 Felix Auger-Aliassime*
There’s a subdued atmosphere on the Europe bench before Djokovic turns and tries to fire his teammates up as he comes out to serve to start the second set.
For some reason though this is not the Djokovic we saw yesterday. He immediately faces 30-30 and then a backhand goes long.
Break point, and Djokovic nets on the backhand after a lengthy exchange! What an incredible start for the Canadian.
Europe must be starting to get nervous.
Laver Cup 2022: *Novak Djokovic 3-6 Felix Auger-Aliassime - World win the first set
There’s an uneasy start as Auger-Aliassime double faults but there’s a gift from Djokovic on the second serve. Again, the return from Djokovic goes astray and it leads to double set point for Auger-Aliassime! He throws the pick-up volley long at the net on the first - but the second is brilliant! His first serve lands out wide before aggressive play sets up the smash at the net to take the set.
Wow, what a performance so far from Felix.
Laver Cup 2022: Novak Djokovic 3-5 Felix Auger-Aliassime*
Wow... there is stunned silence as Auger-Aliassime steps into a forehand and dispatches a winner crosscourt, before placing the backhand winner past Djokovic to bring up three break points.
Incredible! Stunning from Auger-Aliassime as he crushes Djokovic’s first serve straight back for a clean winner. This has been a brilliant turnaround from Auger-Aliassime and he will now serve for the first set!
Laver Cup 2022: *Novak Djokovic 3-4 Felix Auger-Aliassime
A second serve from Auger-Aliassime allows Djokovic into the rally at 30-30, where Djokovic is too clean and leaves it up to Auger-Aliassime. The forehand lets him down before there’s a frustrating moment for Djokovic, who slams his towel as a backhand slice goes wide.
Deuce, and Auger-Aliassime follows in his first serve out wide brilliantly, punching away the winner. Djokovic stretches for a forehand and pulls it wide, as Auger-Aliassime gets an important hold.
Laver Cup 2022: Novak Djokovic 3-3 Felix Auger-Aliassime*
That’s a nice hold from Djokovic as the former World No 1 steadies. He took some pace off his first serve to allow himself into the rallies and swiftly holds to love. Auger-Aliassime nets on the forehand as Djokovic opened the court.
Laver Cup 2022: *Novak Djokovic 2-3 Felix Auger-Aliassime
There’s a brilliant response from Auger-Aliassime as he sends down two aces, to take control of his service game. He blinks on a forehand that goes long but Djokovic then loses control of his backhand and the Canadian moves into the lead.
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