In what was in any other case a comparatively quiet week on the calendar, the seventh version of the Laver Cup took centre stage in Berlin, pitting a number of the world’s greatest males’s gamers in opposition to each other in one other showdown of Europe vs. World.
Whereas the invitational occasion is technically an exhibition which doesn’t function rating factors, it nonetheless serves to create an intense group competitors, and marquee names drove the motion as soon as once more this yr.
Competing in his first Laver Cup, Europe’s squad was led by four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, who sought to return the trophy to the group, after World had snatched up titles in 2022 and 2023.
Alongside Alcaraz, current French Open runner up Alexander Zverev, 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, and three-time main finalist Casper Ruud highlighted a loaded roster.
World countered with a heavy American contingent – captained by the bombastic John McEnroe, the group leaned on Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Ben Shelton, whereas additionally welcoming on South American opponents Francisco Cerundolo and Alejandro Tabilo, and Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis.
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The consequence was one of the intently contested editions of the occasion in years. The groups have been deadlocked after the opening Friday, as Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas notched singles wins for Europe, whereas Francisco Cerundolo earned a key singles win for Group World with a 6-4, 6-4 upset of Ruud. Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz additionally scored a degree for World in doubles with a win over Alcaraz and Zverev.
Saturday was a showcase in American expertise – for a 3rd time this season, current US Open finalist Taylor Fritz upset Germany’s Alexander Zverev with a decisive 6-4, 7-5 victory. In the meantime, Tiafoe recorded a primary profession win over Medvedev, rallying for a 3-6, 6-4, 10-5 win.
Alcaraz scored the lone win of the day for the Europeans, ousting Shelton 6-4, 6-4.
Heading into the ultimate day, World had a commanding 8-4 lead in factors, needing two wins to seal a 3rd consecutive trophy. They have been in prime place after their huge serving left-hander Shelton opened play with a 6-7, 7-5, 10-5 win over Medvedev. With their backs in opposition to the wall, Zverev, buoyed by the German crowd, stormed again to beat Tiafoe and preserve Europe’s hopes alive.
Alcaraz and Ruud then paired up in doubles to earn a key win over Tiafoe and Shelton.
That set the stage for a dramatic end with the 22-year-old Spanish famous person producing dazzling tennis to overwhelm Fritz 6-2, 7-5 in a winner-take-all singles rubber.
It was six-time main champion Bjorn Borg’s ultimate time as Captain of Group Europe – Yannick Noah will take over the position subsequent yr, with the occasion set to be held in San Francisco.
Motion in Beijing underway
After an electrical summer time arduous court docket swing wrapped up on the US Open, the WTA has now made its transfer indoors, and the primary marquee match is that this week in Beijing.
The China Open is the primary WTA1000 stage occasion on the autumn calendar, with foremost draw motion set to start Wednesday.
Although defending champion and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek has pulled out, three-time main winner Aryna Sabalenka headlines a star studded discipline that additionally options Nationwide Financial institution Open champion Jessica Pegula, 2023 US Open champ Coco Gauff, Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen, and two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini.
Leylah Annie Fernandez is the lone Canadian within the singles draw, and seeded twentieth within the occasion, she receives a gap spherical bye. It’s simply the second time competing on the occasion for the 22-year-old, who’s once more to set to characterize her nation on the Billie Jean King Cup Finals later this Fall in Malaga.
Fernandez will meet the winner of upstart American Peyton Stearns and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro within the second spherical. Canadians Marina Stakusic and Carol Zhao each misplaced in qualifying.
In the meantime, Félix Auger-Aliassime is within the discipline on the ATP’s Tokyo Open, a 500 stage occasion. The 24-year-old will look to construct off his Davis Cup momentum, after going an ideal 3-0 in singles for Canada within the Group Stage.
The Montreal native reached the quarterfinals in Tokyo final season. He’s set to play his opening spherical match in opposition to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.
