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Europe leads Laver Cup despite Djoko-Federer loss

September 22, 2018



Novak Djokovic (L) and Roger Federer
Novak Djokovic (L) and Roger Federer

CHICAGO —Team Europe took a commanding 3-1 lead over Team World in the Laver Cup Friday, despite seeing its high-profile doubles pairing of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic suffer the defending champion’s only defeat of the first day here Friday.

Jack Sock and Kevin Anderson combined to deliver the sole triumph for their side, overcoming the world’s second and third ranked singles players 6-7(5), 6-3 (10-6) to prevent an opening day shutout for Team Europe.

All eyes were fixed on longtime rivals Federer and Djokovic as they took the court for the final match, combining forces to play together for the first time after Team Europe had swept the first three singles matches.

The early chemistry took time to develop for both players, and Djokovic accidentally hit Federer on the back of the head during the third game, but the star-studded duo proved strong enough to claim the first set in a tiebreak.

Sock and Anderson found their rhythm in the second set, blasting five of their eight aces to level the contest, before the pair took advantage of a Federer double fault at 4-4 in the 10-point match tiebreaker and held on for a critical triumph.

Europe had earlier built their advantage on singles victories for Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Briton Kyle Edmund and Belgian David Goffin.

Dimitrov rolled through the opener with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over American Frances Tiafoe before his team mates were required to dig deeper for their wins.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Dimitrov told reporters, of the team spirit. “Usually we’re always against each other and now, these guys are actually cheering for me. It’s a nice feeling and I think it’s great for you guys to see that.”

Edmund overcame Sock 6-4 5-7 (10-6) despite struggling with his serve at times and coughing up four double faults, before Goffin staved off a late rally on his way to a 6-4, 4-6 (11-9) triumph over Argentine Diego Schwartzman.

Schwartzman battled back from a 5-1 deficit in the deciding tiebreaker to level at 7-7 before Goffin pulled clear.

“It was an amazing atmosphere,” Goffin said. “I had to stay focused.”

Day Two will feature three more singles clashes, including Federer v Nick Kyrgios, and an additional doubles match, with two points on offer for any victory.

Sunday’s four matches are worth three points apiece with the first team to reach 13 points crowned champion after Europe claimed last year’s inaugural event by a 15-9 margin in Prague.

Simon finally

beats Gasquet

Gilles Simon finally managed to beat his fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet at the ninth attempt with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, victory in the Metz quarterfinals Friday.

Kei Nishkori joined him in the last four, the Japanese top seed inflicting a battling 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 defeat on Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Aside from Gasquet winning every one of their eight previous encounters Simon arrived in Metz out of sorts, with only a US Open first round win since reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon in July.

The two-time Metz winner was more aggressive in the first set and broke to lead 4-2, but was unable to do the same when serving for the set at 5-4.

In the tie-break, Gasquet, ranked 25th, took the first two points but Simon fought back to clinch the set in 59 minutes.

He then rolled through the second set without too many problems and will face 107th ranked Moldovan Radu Albot in the last four.

“It is very, very hard to win against a player you have never beaten, but I started well,” said Simon, ranked 39th in the world.

“The tie-break in the first set was stressful but after that I played very well.” — Agencies


September 22, 2018
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