[ad_1]
Group Europe leads Group World 8-4 heading into Sunday’s remaining 4 matches.
IMAGE: Group Europe’s Novak Djokovic in motion towards Group World’s Frances Tiafoe through the Laver Cup, at 02 Area, in London, on Saturday. {Photograph}: Andrew Boyers/Reuters
Novak Djokovic produced a shocking efficiency to thrash Frances Tiafoe in his first match since profitable Wimbledon in July to edge Group Europe forward within the Laver Cup on Saturday.
With Roger Federer watching on from courtside at a offered out O2 Area, the day after his emotional farewell match alongside Rafael Nadal, Djokovic returned to motion in spellbinding style.
US Open semi-finalist Tiafoe was helpless to cease the Djokovic onslaught because the Serb gained 6-1, 6-3 to place Bjorn Borg’s Group Europe right into a 6-4 lead total.
He then joined Matteo Berrettini, the person he beat within the 2020 Wimbledon remaining, to beat Group World duo Jack Sock and Alex De Minaur 7-5, 6-2 to provide Group Europe an 8-4 lead heading into Sunday’s remaining 4 matches.
After Federer’s tear-jerking remaining match the earlier evening, day two might have been one thing of an anti-climax however the high quality of the tennis, and the presence of Swiss nice Federer on the bench, ensured a compelling day of motion.
Berrettini, who changed 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer for the singles, gained a hard-hitting duel towards Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(11), 4-6, 10-7.
However American Taylor Fritz drew Group World degree at 4-4 within the day’s second match with a decent win towards Briton Cameron Norrie — a stand-in for Nadal, who left earlier within the day for private causes.
Fritz gained 6-1, 4-6, 10-8 as John McEnroe’s Group World confirmed that they’re product of sterner stuff this yr having been trounced 14-1 final yr in Boston.
IMAGE: Novak Djokovic and Frances Tiafoe embrace after their singles match. {Photograph}: Andrew Boyers/Reuters
Federer, watching each ball together with the remainder of his Group Europe colleagues together with Andy Murray, did his finest to raise Norrie with some phrases of knowledge.
At one level Federer prompt world quantity eight ought to serve and volley, which Norrie promptly did however misplaced the purpose as Fritz despatched a lob over his head.
“If Roger Federer is telling you to do one thing, there isn’t any probability I am not going to do it, particularly on the market taking part in for Group Europe,” Norrie stated later.
Djokovic’s determination to not have a COVID-19 vaccine meant he was not allowed to play within the US swing and Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz took full benefit to win the US Open and take over as the brand new world primary.
However Djokovic issued an announcement of intent as he picked up the place he left off when beating Nick Kyrgios on Wimbledon’s Centre Courtroom to achieve 21 Grand Slam titles.
IMAGE: Novak Djokovic is congratulated by Casper Ruud, Roger Federer, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Thomas Enqvist, vice-captain of Group Europe, after the match towards Frances Tiafoe. {Photograph}: Julian Finney/Getty Photographs
Not even Federer might have improved on a primary set wherein Djokovic didn’t drop some extent on serve and landed his precision groundstrokes close to the strains with relentless regularity.
Tiafoe went a break down early within the second set however gained some traction to push again onerous and had a break level that Djokovic repelled in masterful style.
Djokovic then wrapped it up in little greater than an hour.
“I have not performed for just a few months so pleased to proceed the run, it was a fairly first rate match from my facet, I’ve to say,” Djokovic stated on court docket.
Djokovic then paid tribute to Federer’s emotional finale the earlier evening.
“It was one of the vital stunning moments I’ve witnessed in my life,” Djokovic stated.
Particular person matches have been value one level on Friday, two on Saturday and three on Sunday. 13 factors are wanted to assert the trophy.
[ad_2]
Source link
