Laver Cup: Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev win in doubles
Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev scored the third point for Team Europe on Friday evening. In the final double, the Swiss-German estate won 6: 3, 7: 5 against Denis Shapovalov and Jack Sock.
by Florian Goosmann from Geneva
last edit: Sep 20, 2019, 10:36 pm
Even Roger Federer was a little surprised at the kick-off press conference . By the way, team boss Björn Borg had just mentioned that only Rafael Nadal and Federer had scored double in their victory at the 2017 Laver Cup - Team Europe had lost all other doubles in the past two years.
"We have to improve this balance," said the maestro - who tried this on Friday evening alongside Alexander Zverev. Both had already played together last year, but lost to John Isner and Jack Sock.
Sock was now on the other side again, he was the strongest player in the Laver Cup so far (with ten points in the past two years) - and not accidentally two-time major winner in doubles (in Wimbledon and at the US Open).
Federer and Zverev got off to a better start this year. Although both had to ward off break chances for Team World at first, Shapovalov then took the serve to zero and went 4-1 away. Federer in particular - equipped with a Team Europe blue special limited collectors racket - kept flashing his net game, while viewer Nick Kyrgios sweetened the waiting time with a plate of tortellini.
Federer and Zverev missed four set balls a short time later when the German served, an excessively long return from Sock ultimately took the lead.
Federer / Zverev also in run 2 with early guidance
In set two, Shapovalov and Sock missed the chance to take the lead despite two match balls, Federer and Zverev broke to 1: 0 and also retained their nerve strength in the game to 3: 1 when they blocked four break balls when the Swiss served. A service game later, the Swiss was due thanks to good actions from Sock - 4: 4.
The momentum was now at Team World: Zverev faced 0:40 at 4: 5, but served himself with three good first serves to kick off and whipped the 17,000 spectators. They saw Roger Federer on the ground shortly after - when trying to cross, a Shapovalov return was too hard. But: nothing happens. Shapovalov and Sock missed three more chances to win the set (Sock only just returned at the crossing Federer); in the end the maestro got the 5: 5 with two determined backhand smashes.
The decisive break was finally offered by Shapovalov with a double mistake, Federer then served to win the match.
"We tennis players travel around the world all year round, it's just great to play at home," Federer thanked the audience on the pitch. "I feel fresh and rested, I had family time, my back is fine," the 20-times Major Champ continues - he will also start in singles on Saturday.
After the victories of Dominic Thiem against Denis Shapovalov, Stefanos Tsitsipas against Taylor Fritz and Sock over Fabio Fognini, Team Europe went 3-1 from the first day. On Saturday, there are two counters per match.