Frances Tiafoe secured the Laver Cup title for Team World after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Team Europe 1-6, 7-6 (11), 10-8 to give his team a 13-8 win.
John McEnroe’s team entered the final day of the three-day event in London trailing four-time champion Team Europe 4-8. However, with each victory worth three points, Team World turned the tide to win the Cup for the first time.
“I don’t want to talk too much because I want the party to start very soon. But I want to thank my players. They brought the energy, the belief and the intensity. I want to especially thank my brother Patrick, my right hand man,” McEnroe said during the trophy ceremony.
In front of an electric crowd at The O2, Tiafoe saved four match points in the second set tie break by producing moments of magic in the crucial moments to triumph after one hour and 48 minutes.
The American’s victory sparked scenes of celebration on the bench, with his teammates running onto the pitch to hug the world number 19, who collapsed to the ground in joy.
“It’s an incredible feeling. Our captain Jonny Mac was tired of losing…saying we needed to do it this year on his fifth try. For the whole week before I kept saying that this was our year. The boys appeared. Felix beat Novak, Jack and Felix also played amazing doubles. We all did it together, it wasn’t just me. I showed a lot of heart to do this. This is big. We are going to celebrate big tonight,” Tiafoe said in his on-court interview.
Earlier, Felix Auger-Aliassime led Team World to one win from capturing the trophy, when he defeated Team Europe’s Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6(3). The Canadian served him during the hour and 35-minute clash, as he spread his shoulders to get past the former world number one for his first win against Djokovic.
“I have come close several times and in recent times to winning against these great champions, so it feels great to get the victory. Especially in front of the fans in this arena and for Team World,” said Auger-Aliassime.
In the first match of the day, Auger-Aliassime and Sock edged Matteo Berrettini and Andy Murray 2-6, 6-3, 10-8. In an entertaining battle at London’s O2, the Canadian and American kept their nerve when it mattered, finding first serves and deep returns in the Match Tie-break to secure victory after one hour and 37 minutes.
Sock has now earned four points for his side, having teamed up with Tiafoe to defeat Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Swiss star’s final match at tour level on Friday night.
