The mainstays of World Tennis for the better part of the last century has been the US and Australia. However Europe got it right with developing promising younger players such that they won 19 of the last 22 Davis Cups on offer. One might say that it coincided with the emergence of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. But the last two years have offered a glimmer of hope for the rest of the World. The ageing aristocrats of tennis, Team Europe were pitted against the youthful exuberance of Team World, a perfect opportunity to gauge where the true powerhouse of the game lies. For much of the weekend from Friday, Europe looked to be on their way to a romp leading 8-4 going into the last day. The points spread is one point for a win on Friday, two on Saturday. It is the first to 13 points in the Laver Cup, with points on Sunday counting as three, no doubt Sunday is D-Day. Leading 10-8, Team World had Flushing Meadows semi finalist Frances Tiafoe facing Stefanos in a winner take all. Well Stefanos's form going into the Cup was the poorest of the six selected in my opinion but one would expect him to win over the American.
It looked that way in the first set. Tsitsipas's serve too hot to handle at over 70% first serve, Tiafoe's serve and volley and net game that served him well in New York coming short , watch 2-1 Tsitsipas 40-15. Frances can only get better on other surfaces like clay , but on hard court he is fast becoming the best(Next to Novak wink wink). His major strength, shot variation and the occasional hail mary winner. His guts were on show in the second set breaker. Check him out going for broke at 11-11. The fact that the ball started from outside the line as it left the racquet shows he didn't catch it well, but if you gamble right you might get lucky one or two times. That was the kick in confidence needed to win the close breaker. Crucial. What makes the Laver Cup unique is that the last set is a tie break set to save the energy and risk of injuries to players. This is wise on all levels. An unintended consequence is that you can win a match without having to break your opponents serve. Tiafoe did just that. Check out 4-4 third set, Tiafoe moves well for a fairly big guy, credit to coach Wayne Ferreira(Mzansi in the house) for getting him in tip top shape. The win for Team World would not be possible had it not been for a team effort ,with Felix winning against Novak the pivotal turning point earlier in the day. You can't help but feel bubbly inside for John Mac too.
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