After a highly dramatic thriller by tennis pro Alexander Zverev, the European selection won the title at the Laver Cup in Berlin. The world number two, weakened by a cold, came back from a set deficit against Frances Tiafoe and 2:4 in the second set and defeated the American 6:7 (5:7), 7:5 and 10:5 after 2 hours and 34 minutes.
Zverev fails to get revenge against Fritz, Team Europe lags behind
Alcaraz secures victory for Europe
Carlos Alcaraz made the decision in the decisive singles match. The Spanish Wimbledon winner beat US Open finalist Taylor Fritz 6-2, 7-5 and brought the Laver Cup back to Europe for the first time since 2021. Under the watchful eyes of tennis legends Boris Becker and Roger Federer, team captain Björn Borg’s team celebrated a big party in the arena at Ostbahnhof, which was sold out with 13,500 fans.
After two previous defeats, Zverev was at least able to say goodbye to the German capital with a personal sense of success. “That was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in,” enthused the 27-year-old. The Olympic champion from Tokyo lost his opening doubles match with Alcaraz as well as his first singles match on Saturday against Fritz.
Zverev sick again
As has happened so often this year, a cold meant that Zverev was unable to perform at his best. The Hamburg native reported that he felt ill and had a fever before the tournament. Zverev has been battling with health setbacks in recent months. He left it open whether he will play the upcoming tournaments in Asia as planned. “I don’t know,” said Zverev.
The professionals cannot collect world ranking points at the lucrative Laver Cup. The Italian world number one Jannik Sinner had cancelled his participation, as had the Serbian Novak Djokovic and the Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Next year the Laver Cup will take place in San Francisco.
Broadcast: rbb24, 22.09.2024, 10 p.m.
