Team Europe have retained the Laver Cup after Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev rallied from their doubles defeat to take their singles matches on a dramatic final day against Team World.
Federer and Zverev opened the session at the United Center with a rather inglorious start, failing to convert two match points on the Swiss star’s serve before losing 4-6 7-6 (11-9) to Jack Sock and John Isner.
But the singles brought Federer and 21-year-old Zverev redemption as the defending champions took an unassailable 13-8 lead – to deny a deciding rubber scheduled between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios.
World No.2 Federer was forced to save two match points before he overcame Isner 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (8-6) 10-7.
Zverev mounted a comeback against Kevin Anderson to secure the deciding three points 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 10-7.
“It was such a close match all around, not only this one but all weekend, a few points here and there and it could have been different,” Zverev said.
“I’m just happy to get the win and we defended the title, that’s the most important thing.”
Anderson said Sunday’s defeat affected more than just him.
“You’re playing for something different. You feel like you didn’t come through for the team,” he said.
The three-day, five-session tournament at the United Center drew 93,584 fans.
Team World had the momentum and the crowd going into the final day after closing the gap to 7-5 after Saturday’s action.
But the Laver Cup, which has shown it is no exhibition event after last year’s debut in Prague, was unpredictable and irresistible.
The all-star team from Europe led by Swedish great Bjorn Borg – which also included Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin and Kyle Edmund – was the one celebrating after three intense days of competition.
“It’s been an unbelievable week,” Borg said.
“I’m very proud of my team, we knew it’s going to be very difficult to beat Team World with John as the captain.
With next year’s tournament back in Europe at the ‘PalExpo’ centre in Geneva, Switzerland, the John McEnroe-captained Team World will have their work cut out if they are to claim the trophy for the first time.
