VANCOUVER — For the very first time, Group World efficiently defended its Laver Cup title.
Individuals Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe beat Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev 7-6 (7), 7-6 (7) to assist Group World hit the 13-point mark wanted to defeat Group Europe.
“It felt unbelievable,” mentioned Group World captain John McEnroe, who added how Group Europe had overwhelmed Group World quite a few occasions.
Montreal native Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was additionally a member of Group World final yr, mentioned the repeat victory was much more particular with it going down on Canadian soil.
“To win is the perfect feeling and it’s good to return again after London and to do it in Vancouver,” he mentioned.
Auger-Aliassime mentioned he seems ahead to having a possibility to play as a part of a group.
“Each time I play for a group, I really feel actually good,” he mentioned. “The tour can, taking part in singles on a regular basis, get lonely I suppose. To have teammates and win as a group, for me it’s actually particular.”
Group World’s 2022 victory marked Swiss star Roger Federer’s final skilled look earlier than retiring.
Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., was attending the match as an alternate for Group World in case of harm, and took half in a doubles match after the cup presentation.
He was paired with Chris Eubanks because the pair took on Arthur Fils and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
“Milos is a man who modified the best way Canadians checked out our sport of tennis,” McEnroe mentioned of Raonic’s legacy.
Group World took a 10-2 lead within the match on Saturday to place itself within the driver’s seat.
The opening doubles match on Sunday featured a number of sustained rallies, with Shelton hitting a behind-the-back shot in the course of the second sport.
Each units went to tiebreakers, with Group Europe pushing to remain within the hunt for its second win of the three-day match.
But it surely wasn’t meant to be as Hurkacz missed a drop shot, permitting Group World to clinch the win.
The Polish participant threw his racket down onto the courtroom and appeared visibly offended on the missed alternative.
“It was simply in regards to the little particulars that didn’t go our means,” mentioned Rublev after the match.
The match was a good affair, with Group World simply edging out their European counterparts 80 to 76 on factors.
“We gave 100 per cent. Group World performed unbelievable tennis each single match,” mentioned Group Europe captain Bjorn Borg. “In fact we’re very disenchanted. We didn’t anticipate to lose by this a lot, however what are you able to say? They performed good tennis.”
Group World entered the ultimate media convention of the match with champagne and McEnroe with a lit cigar.
“I’m fairly loaded proper now,” joked Tiafoe whereas answering a query.
The match and gamers confronted questions all through the week a few relative lack of high-profile gamers in addition to points over methods to match the match into the ATP Tour’s schedule.
Group Europe star Casper Ruud mentioned he hoped the competitors would proceed.
“I believe it’s an incredible initiative,” he mentioned. “Me, as a golf man, watching the Ryder Cup all my life, it’s nice for tennis to has this occasion.”