Team World achieved an emphatic victory in the Laver Cup, overpowering Team Europe 13-2 in a triumphant display of tennis prowess in Vancouver. The decisive moment came during the doubles match, where the American duo of Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe outplayed Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz and Russia’s Andrey Rublev, clinching a hard-fought victory with a scoreline of 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5).
Throughout the tournament, Team World’s dominance was on full display, setting the stage for their inevitable triumph. The pivotal moment for the European team came when Norwegian Casper Ruud secured a victory over American Tommy Paul, contributing to Europe’s meager points tally.
Once dominated by Team Europe with four consecutive victories, the Laver Cup witnessed a significant shift last year when Team World emerged as the victors in London, an event very memorable for being Roger Federer’ last tennis competition before retirement.
In the Laver Cup format, victory is determined by the first team to reach 13 points. Team World had already gained a substantial advantage by winning all four matches on the opening day. This momentum carried through the weekend, with American players Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe both clinching their matches in straight sets on Saturday. In a remarkable doubles performance, Canadian player Felix Auger-Aliassime paired with Ben Shelton to extend Team World’s lead to 10-2 going into the final day.
Team World’s captain, John McEnroe, expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance and back-to-back victories, stating, “We stepped up, and I thought all the guys played great. This was a special year for us. I know they’re going to come back strong, but I’ll take two in a row any day. And I’m starting to think, is it possible for three in a row!”
The dynamic partnership of Shelton and Tiafoe proved pivotal, as they exhibited resilience during critical tie-breaks, securing a dramatic and well-deserved victory. For Shelton, an emerging talent in the tennis world who recently reached the semi-finals of the US Open, the team environment provided a unique and enjoyable experience. Tiafoe, on the other hand, reflected on the emotional significance of participating in the prestigious Laver Cup.
Leon Osamor
