Frances Tiafoe seized the first two points at Laver Cup Berlin 2024 after winning Saturday’s match over Danill Medvedev to give a 4-2 lead to Team World. Tiafoe beat Russian Daniil Medvedev by a score of 3-6, 6-4, 10-5 in just over an hour and a half of play. On the previous day, fellow Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton brought Team World level with Team Europe at 2-2 after a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev on the first day of Laver Cup 2024 in Berlin.
Team World won the opening match when Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina beat Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 6-4. Team Europe responded with a 6-1, 6-4 win of Stefanos Tsitsipas over Thanasi Kokkinakis plus the extra point from Grigor Dimitrov. This brought the Team Europe lead to 2-1 by battling past Alejandro Tabilo of Chile, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2).
Frances Tiafoe Make a Positive Run
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With Tiafoe’s win, Team World is far from defeated. John McEnroe’s men have just won their third of five matches, taking the lead again. Tiafoe, contesting his fifth Laver Cup, stated that he developed a strong bond with Team World captain John McEnroe. “He wants to see me do well, he really wants to see me get over the hump,” said the American.
This win became Tiafoe’s first win over Medvedev in six attempts and also proof that anything is possible even when Team Europe powered with higher rankings at the single matches. The positivity from Tiafoe might become a boost for his American fellows, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton in the next matches ahead.
Another Meeting on a Single Match on Day 2
Following Tiafoe’s opening act, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton will come back on the court to play the singles match. Fritz will face Alexander Zverev while Shelton will meet Zverev’s pal, Carlos Alcaraz. With the positive start on the doubles, the American stars might have a good advantage this time.
Shelton will meet Alcaraz for the second time. Their first meeting happened in Toronto last year when Alcaraz won in straight sets. If Alcaraz can come back to his best form that saw him win Roland Garros and Wimbledon and claim a silver medal at the Olympics, it will be hard for Shelton to win.
But the eyes might be focused on the match between the world No. 2 Zverev and No. 7 Fritz. Both had terrific runs at the US Open. They played each other in the quarterfinals where Fritz won in four sets. The top American player succeeded in reaching his first major final where he lost to the World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. With a good break and a victorious doubles match on Day 1, the 26-year-old should be ready to step up.
Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton Creates Chemistry
Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton secured a crucial point to make Team World even with Team Europe at 2-2. Sharing the doubles court for the first time, Fritz and Shelton made an immediate impression for Team World. The big-serving American pair could bring their power to start their journey at the Uber Arena.
The left-handed Shelton and right-handed Fritz won 81 percent of first-serve points, 70 percent of second-serve points and were broke just once in a 95-minute victory. Shelton became the most aggressive net player on the court. He stated that the victory could be followed on the other court. The American pair could reunite in next month’s Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, Spain where the US team will face Australia. The team with the US Open and Olympic gold medalist in doubles.
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