Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev edge Team Europe closer to Laver Cup glory

in #sports6 years ago

Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev extended the advantage for defending Laver Cup champions Team Europe to 7-1 against John McEnroe's Team World in Chicago on Saturday.

With two points available for a win on the second day of action, Federer and Zverev both recorded wins to edge closer to the winning mark of 13 points.

In the opening match of the night, Zverev rallied from match point down to earn a dramatic 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 10-7 (10-point tie-break) victory over John Isner to move Team Europe 5-1 ahead at a packed United Center.

And 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer extended the advantage for the men in blue after a supreme 6-3 6-2 demolition of Nick Kyrgios.

Kyrgios did get the better of Federer by winning this sensational 21-shot rally...
The Swiss great took a 3-1 lead in the first set thanks to a vintage backhand winner down the line and from then on in he never looked back as he wrapped up the set.

Federer, 37, had all the momentum by now and a couple of breaks in the second set were enough to hand him an impressive win in 65 minutes.

"I'm very, very happy," said Federer. "I felt good from the beginning of the match and that's unusual because we need matches to get going to get used to the reaction of the court with all the spins and slices. Today was just very clean with my game plan."

Watch Kyrgios' swan dive after Isner served up another ace for Team World
Zverev remains undefeated in the competition after showing great determination in saving a match point at 6-5 down in the second set tie-break to level the contest.

He then raced into the lead in the 10-point match tie-break, and despite a late surge by Isner, Zverev did enough to close out for the win.

"It was intense and a very high level. John was playing unbelievable and it wasn't easy. We have got to do everything as a team, everyone was out there - it was a very special moment," said world No 5 Zverev.

"How can you not love the Laver Cup? Special crowds, special stadiums, special team, the whole atmosphere is unbelievable."

Zverev admitted his victory over big-serving Isner was 'intense'

Zverev was playing against one of the biggest servers in the game and I though John was playing really good tennis. He got the break to win a couple if important points in the second set. It was a great match which could have gone either way.skysports-roger-federer-tennis_4430473.jpg