Laver Cup: Roger Federer beats Kyrgios and takes another lead for Team Europe
Roger Federer won his match against Nick Kyrgios 6: 7 (5), 7: 5 and [10: 7] and brought Team Europe back into the lead.
by Florian Goosmann from Geneva
last edit: Sep 21, 2019, 05:28 pm
Those who aren't that old will remember: Federer against Kyrgios - this duel made for one of the most legendary tennis GIFs in recent years . Federer had the "match ball" at the Laver Cup premiere in Geneva two years ago: with a win over Kyrgios, he would have decided the first Laver Cup in favor of Europe, and a drama developed. Kyrgios had match point in the final match tie-break after he made the decision with the momentum of the second set won. But Federer fought back, took the decisive point shortly afterwards and had to catch Rafael Nadal, who was approaching.
This Saturday, of course, was not about everything, but the overall score of 3: 3 was still about the lead. Federer, again frenetically cheered by the 17,000 spectators in the Geneva Palexpo Hall, started strongly, at 2: 2 the return package from blocked back hands and the famous chip finally fitted - the blow that Nick Kyrgios considered one of the big ones some time ago Federers wanted to have discovered the secrets of success. Federer breakt - Kyrgios countered immediately.
The tie-break was also not good for the Swiss: With 4: 0 he was quickly in the lead, but Kyrgios equalized here, and although Federer won the 5: 4 with a brave attack, the Hawk-Eye and a forehand pass by the Australian ensured for the surprising - and from Federer's point of view unnecessary - sentence management.
Federer finally grabs it
In set 2, Kyrgios sniffed 4: 3 and 3:30 p.m. with Federer's serve on the decisive break; why he unpacked a completely unnecessary and harmless frontal tween one point later remains his secret, the resolution of which Federer need not be interested in - he equalized to 4: 4.
At 5: 5 Federer lured again with a deep, short slice, a double mistake from Kyrgios finally brought the 0:40, Federer finally broke in the follow-up at the fourth breakball of the game and served to zero to equalize the set.
So the match tie-break had to fix it again. Federer ran shortly after a 0: 2, he then fought off a Kyrgios pass ball after a fine stop with a lightning reaction - and unpacked the Kuntz saw. Federer then shot away to 5-2 and brought this lead to the finish this time.
"The first set was bitter to lose. I tried to stay focused and get the momentum. The audience ultimately got me over the finish line," said Federer after the win.
Team Europe - Team World: 5: 3
After the victories of Dominic Thiem (6: 4, 5: 7, [13:11] against Denis Shapovalov), Jack Sock over Fabio Fognini (6: 1, 7: 6 (3)) and Stefanos Tsitsipas over Taylor Fritz (6 : 2, 1: 6, [10: 7]) as well as Roger Federer / Alexander Zverev about Denis Shapovalov and Jack Sock (6: 4, 7: 5) Team Europe went 3-1 from the premier day.
Saturday will be two points - after the victories of Isner (Team World) over Zverev and Federer over Kyrgios, it is 5: 3 for Team Europe.
In the evening (from 7 p.m.) Rafael Nadal meets Milos Raonic , finally Nadal and Tsitsipas play in doubles against Kyrgios and Jack Sock.