Laver Cup: Team World dominate with a 8-4 lead over Team Europe ahead of the final
The 2024 Laver Cup has entered its final stages, with Team World making a significant statement over the first two days of competition. After a gripping Friday and Saturday in Berlin, the stage is set for a thrilling final day on September 22. While Team Europe stays in contention for the trophy, the team will need to overcome a gigantic lead imposed by Team World over them. With Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz handing a defeat to Danill Medvedev and Zverev respectively, World is leading the points chart 8-4 against Europe. Going into the final, the onus to propel Europe’s chances of a win will be on Carlos Alcaraz, who was the sole winner from his team in the singles’ fixture on Saturday.
An action-packed Day 2 puts Team World in the lead at Laver Cup
Team World is just two match victories away from clinching the Laver Cup for the third consecutive year. Following a successful Saturday where they secured three out of four matches against Team Europe, they head into the final day in Berlin with an 8-4 points lead. The opening day saw Team World and Team Europe draw equal points as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov won their singles clashes against Kokkinakis and Tabilo respectively. However, their third teammate Casper Ruud suffered a 4-6, 4-6 defeat against Francisco Cerundolo. In the doubles event, Team World with Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton in the centre won another point as they beat Europe’s Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.
On Saturday, where the matches carried 2 points each, Team World edged past Team Europe with a significant lead. Frances Tiafoe beat the World No. 5 ranked Daniil Medvedev for the first-time ever as he scored crucial points for Team World. Moreover, Taylor Fritz won his singles clash against Zverev 6-4, 7-5 extending the lead. The sole victory for Team Europe on Saturday came from Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champion of the French Open and Wimbledon, who managed to defeat Shelton 6-4, 6-4, breaking serve once in each set.
Notably, Alcaraz faced five break points during the match and successfully saved them all. This marked Shelton's first set loss in his fifth Laver Cup appearance. Meanwhile, Ben Shelton and Alejandro Tabilo dominated Europe’s Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas, winning decisively with a score of 6-1, 6-2.In the closing match of Saturday, Shelton and Tabilo's impressive victory over Tsitsipas and Ruud solidified Team World’s 8-4 advantage. After a blistering first set and an early break in the second, the European duo failed to capitalize on their two break opportunities, ultimately handing John McEnroe’s team crucial points.
