On Saturday, Roger Federer maintained his 100% Laver Cup record against Nick Kyrgios with a thrilling 6-7(5) 7-5 10-7 win over the Australian but Team World hit back in the doubles match later on to stay in contention for the title.
Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal win as Team Europe Take 7-5 lead
Playing, in Geneva, in front of his 17,000 fans, the home favourite Federer beat Kyrgios for the third time in as many editions before Rafa Nadal extended Europe’s lead by beating Milos Raonic 6-3 7-6(1) in the night session.
20-times Grand Slam winner Federer said, “It was really close that first set so it was tough to lose. The crowd could feel it, I could feel it. I needed to get some energy going but you can’t do that if you don’t play any good shots and Nick was playing very well. I was just trying to stay focused. If you can turn the momentum, the crowd gets back into it and I need some earplugs next time, it was just phenomenal.”
Coaching each other courtside, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal won their singles matches Saturday to help Team Europe retain its lead over Team World on Day 2 of the Laver Cup.
Kyrgios and Jack Sock won that match 6-4, 3-6, 10-6, scoring two key points for the world team which trails Europe 7-5 ahead of the final four matches Sunday.
John Isner began Saturday’s play with a win for Team World, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 10-1 over Alexander Zverev.
However, the doubles partner Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas were beaten 6-4 3-6 10-6 by Kyrgios and Jack Sock in the final match of the day as Team World decreased Europe’s lead to 7-5. The first team to reach 13 points will be crowned as the champions, with each win worth three points on Sunday.
The third edition of the annual Laver Cup will be decided on Sunday by a doubles match, then three more singles – each worth three points with 13 needed for overall victory.
