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 2-2 Felix Auger-Aliassime*
Chance for Auger-Aliassime! He gets level at 30-30 with a shot down the line that Djokovic lost track of, before he then does well to attack Djokovic’s backhand. He had a chance at the net, but makes an error on the volley.
However it comes back again at deuce as Djokovic sends a forehand long - and a double fault from Djokovic surprises everyone! Auger-Aliassime is back level at 2-2.
Laver Cup 2022: *Novak Djokovic 2-1 Felix Auger-Aliassime
Auger-Aliassime finds a welcome hold behind his first serve, which will be his best chance of getting something from this match. He holds to love and gets a nice flying forehand at the net.
Laver Cup 2022: Novak Djokovic 2-0 Felix Auger-Aliassime*
Djokovic is wayward on his first serve but it doesn’t seem to matter as he takes over on the rallies. The hitting is intense, accurate and already Auger-Aliassime is feeling it’s vice-like pressure.
Laver Cup 2022: *Novak Djokovic 1-0 Felix Auger-Aliassime
Auger-Aliassime electing to serve first was a sign of his confidence but he is put under immediate pressure from Djokovic, who clips the lines and plays a flawless point at 15-30 to set up two early break points. Auger-Aliassime can’t find the first serve and as a forehand is pulled wide, Djokovic gets the break. Intimidating play already from Djokovic.
*next server
Laver Cup 2022: Novak Djokovic vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Actor Tom Hiddlestone is involved in the coin toss and Auger-Aliassime chooses to serve. Warm-ups are underway.
Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime have only played once before. It was this year in Rome and Djokovic won 7-5 7-6.
Laver Cup 2022: Novak Djokovic vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
This is why Europe wanted Novak Djokovic to be in the opening singles match. On yesterday’s form, he is as close to a guaranteed point as you can get. If there’s a player you could pick to save your life, it would be Djokovic.
Felix Auger-Aliassime has the pressure off after winning in doubles earlier. He played well, too, so that may inspire him.
The beauty of the scoring system here is that’s it’s suddenly very close. A good match awaits.
Laver Cup 2022: Murray/Berrettini 6-2 3-6 (8-10) Sock/Auger-Aliassime - Game, set and match!
Felix Auger-Aliassime has gone off to prepare for his singles match against Novak Djokovic, so Jack Sock is left to do the final interview.
“Djokovic has seeing the ball great yesterday,” he says before praising Auger-Aliassime, who will be fired up after that doubles win.
Sock believes momentum is with the World team now.
Laver Cup 2022: Murray/Berrettini 6-2 3-6 (8-10) Sock/Auger-Aliassime - Game, set and match!
Berrettini produces a wicked bouncing second serve and then follows it in with the forehand smash at Auger-Aliassime, level again at 8-8.
Oh no! Murray had a chance on the volley but Auger-Aliassime has been the player of the match since the start of the second set and his instincts at the net earn Team World match point!
Auger-Aliassime serves a bomb down the middle and Sock follows it with a superb touch at the net, a brilliant angled volley!
Suddently, Europe only lead 8-7 ahead of the singles matches! Brilliant performance there from Sock and Auger-Aliassime.
Laver Cup 2022: Murray/Berrettini 6-2 3-6 Sock/Auger-Aliassime - Tiebreak
That’s better from Murray, picking up a tricky forehand and keeping it low as Auger-Aliassime nets. Europe needed to win that.
Great from Murray again! Berrettini pinned Sock pack onto the forehand and Murray steps in to split his opponents at the net!
Sock pulls out the big serve out wide and the World lead 8-7 with two serves from Berrettini to come.
Laver Cup 2022: Murray/Berrettini 6-2 3-6 Sock/Auger-Aliassime - Tiebreak
Auger-Aliassime again does a nice job of following Sock’s serve for a volleyed winner - before Sock picks out a stunning backhand pass that catches the line! Murray had moved into the net, but Sock finds the window.
It’s back on serve, but not for long as Berrettini throws in a double fault! Auger-Aliassime again finds his mark on the serve and Sock pounces at the net - that’s four straight points and World lead 6-4!
Murray wrestles back the advantage though as he hammers a forehand straight at Sock - but then it is thrown away as he chucks in a double fault! World lead 7-5.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments