In what proved an extremely dramatic day, Team Europe came from behind to snatch the European Cup from the grasp of Team World who looked set to retain it for a third consecutive year, 13-11 and extend their lead over Team World to 5-2.
It’s great. Obviously we came here with a goal, to win the Laver Cup, We are very, very happy about reaching our goal. We almost lost, but Sascha came with really good tennis and gave me the chance to win (it).” Carlos Alcaraz
They arrived on the final day of the three-day competition at the Uber Arena in Berlin leading 8-4, and while Europe, thanks to Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz winning the opening doubles rubber of the programme 6-2 7-6(6) against Frances Tiafoe, pulled that lead back to 11-7 after the first 100-minutes.
However, despite that setback from the visitor’s standpoint, Team World regained their strong position when, for the second time in three days, Daniil Medvedev succumbed in a Match Tiebreak, this time to Ben Shelton, the impressive 21-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, who recovered well to inflict the 7-6(6) 5-7 [10-7] defeat in just over two hours, over the world No.5 and put his team one match away from overall victory.
With just two rubbers to go, the run to the finish line provided an electric atmosphere within the stadium and the level’s increased when their home favourite stepped on court to face Tiafoe.
Zverev had lost his previous singles 24-hours earlier when suffering from some illness, in straight sets to Taylor Fritz, so the question in many people’s minds, was he fully fit enough to stave off a confident looking opponent?
Alexander Zverev jumps for joy at winning the crucial rubber, the turning point of the competition.
(Photo by Luciano Lima/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
With virtually the Cup at stake, it wasn’t surprising to see the two lock horns and when Tiafoe took the first set on a tie-break, the momentum was very much in Team World’s camp and even more so, when he American broke the German to take a 3-2 lead in the second set and hold for 4-2. Just two more holds and the Laver Cup remains in John McEnroe’s hands!
Zverev holds for 4-3 and then goes for broke to raise three break points with some excellent pressing play, converting on the first of them with another attacking shot to force Tiafoe to net a forehand and go on to break him again to level the match and force a Match Tiebreaker.
Again, with so much at stake, it wasn’t surprising to see the two trying to gain an advantage with nine mini-breaks before Zverev, after two-hours and 33-minutes, closed it out 6-7(5) 7-5 [10-5] with both players winning just five points on their serve in that tense match-deciding tiebreak.
“It was a win or die tie for us,” said Zverev post-match. “I knew that I had to put all my energy, all my efforts in and the team helped me so much with a lot of great coaching and a lot of energy.
“We’ve got so many great team-mates. We’re getting all so close. During the Laver Cup, we’re all becoming friends, almost, and it’s so special.”
He also played tribute to Roger Feerer and Boris Becker who were in the crowd, encouraging him as best they could.
Zverev added: “It is very special for sure to play in front of (them), we have a lot of sporting legends actually, not only from tennis, but also from the football world, with Bastian Schweinsteiger. Obviously with Roger and Boris it’s always very special.
“They do put a lot of pressure on me when they both start coaching me and I’m all of a sudden down a set and a break. I mean, it must be me. It can’t be their coaching. So I must have really not played well.”
With the final result now hinging on the last match, Team Europe had regained the momentum despite still trailing 11-10 leaving the Alcaraz versus Fritz match to decide the fate of the Cup.
The two were in good form but Alcaraz loves the big occasion and to be able to clinch the Cup on his debut in the competition, couldn’t have provided him with better motivation.
The opening set was close to a formality for the Spaniard, who bookended the 6-2 score with a pair of devastating love-holds.
In between, Alcaraz made good on two out of three break points and while the four-time Grand Slam champion needed to fight off an immediate break-back threat at the start of the second set, he foiled the American’s three opportunities to make the first dent in the Spaniard’s serve.
Carlos Alcaraz is enveloped by his team mates after securing the winning points.
(Photo by Gerald Matzka/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
But the world No. 7 did not squander his next chance, drawing level at 4-4 and damping down the enthusiastic Blue corner but they needn’t have worried.
Alcaraz did not panic and broke back at the next opportunity and served out the match after 90-minutes for a comfortable 6-2 7-5 win to ensure the trophy returned to Bjorn Borg’s care!
“It’s great. Obviously we came here with a goal, to win the Laver Cup,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. “We are very, very happy about reaching our goal. We almost lost, but Sascha came with really good tennis and gave me the chance to win (it).”
Team captain Borg added: “It’s always tough to play Team World at Laver Cup. You’ve seen good tennis this week and I thought that we weren’t going to win it, but the guys played great tennis and we came through. For me to spend time with these players in Team Europe, it’s a lot of fun. We have a good team spirit, and we gave everything. I’m very proud of my team.”
Both team captains are now retiring after seven years in the hot seat and will be replaced by Yannick Noah in the Blue corner and Andre Agassi in the Red and they will make their debuts as captains next year when the competition plays out in San Francisco.
Disappointment for Taylor Fritz and John McEnroe, and Team World after coming so close.
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
