Crew World’s Felix Auger-Aliassime celebrates some extent towards Crew Europe’s Gael Monfils throughout a Laver Cup tennis match Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Credit score: AP/DARRYL DYCK
Crew World’s Francisco Cerundolo serves to Crew Europe’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina through the first set of a Laver Cup tennis singles match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Credit score: AP/DARRYL DYCK
Crew Europe’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, left, and Crew World’s Francisco Cerundolo shake arms after Cerundolo received a Laver Cup tennis match Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Credit score: AP/DARRYL DYCK
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-3, serving to Crew World win the primary three singles matches of the Laver Cup worldwide event on Friday.
Ben Shelton and Francisco Cerundolo additionally claimed wins for Crew World, together with the doubles pairing of Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe.
Monfils got here to Auger-Aliassime’s aspect of the court docket twice to verbally spar with him throughout their match, and the Canadian ignored his taunts each occasions.
“On the finish of the day, the purpose is to get by way of and win,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned in regards to the confrontation. “I take all matches significantly and need to compete and win and have enjoyable doing it.”
Monfils repeatedly performed to the group, cupping his ear to listen to cheers or sitting on promoting boardings alongside the sting of the black court docket at Rogers Enviornment and shrugging to the group when a name didn’t go his approach. The French participant was heard on mic telling Crew Europe captain Bjorn Borg that he “was right here to have enjoyable” and appeared annoyed by the referee’s calls all through the match.
“It’s competitors. Issues bought somewhat bit heated within the second with stress,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned.
The Canadian mentioned he was taking the competitors significantly and downplayed thoughts video games from his opponent, including that he was centered on abiding by the foundations of the event.
Crew World’s Francisco Cerundolo serves to Crew Europe’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina through the first set of a Laver Cup tennis singles match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Credit score: AP/DARRYL DYCK
“I feel the Laver Cup has the potential to be taken very significantly, not simply now but in addition sooner or later,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “We’re simply taking this significantly and issues bought heated for a few video games. … “Gael is any person I respect, so there’s no stress outdoors of what simply occurred.”
It was a rematch between Auger-Aliassime and Monfils after they performed towards each other on the Laver Cup three years in the past.
Monfils made Auger-Aliassime work for it all through the match. He repeatedly hit cross court docket volleys in an try and put Auger-Aliassime on the again foot. However the Montreal native thrived on serving, at 85% on first serve, adopted by 64% on second serves. He added a dominant internet recreation, with 15 internet factors to Monfils’ 5.
Shelton defeated Arthur Fils 7-6 (4), 6-1 and Cerundolo adopted with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina.
Crew Europe’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, left, and Crew World’s Francisco Cerundolo shake arms after Cerundolo received a Laver Cup tennis match Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Credit score: AP/DARRYL DYCK
Shelton received 85% of first-serve factors and had the one two breaks of the match, each coming within the second set.
“I believed it was an ideal match. Fairly excessive degree from the beginning,” he mentioned.
Cerundolo thrived on his serve in his match with 4 aces, however repeatedly struggled to complete off his European counterpart.
Shelton’s win marked the primary time Crew World has received the opening match on the Laver Cup.
