Dimitrov Delivers: European Team Claims Victory in Thrilling Cup Laver Showdown
Team Europe reclaimed the Laver Cup trophy after a game away from Team World after a dramatic final day of the three-day competition. The Blues managed to win by 13-11 points, although their rivals needed two wins from four games today to take the cup for the third time in a row.
Grigor Dimitrov was also part of the European team for this edition, but was unable to play on any of the days of the weekend as he felt pain in the victory over Alejandro Tabillo on Friday. Despite the fact that the Bulgarian last night declared his willingness to help his team, captain Björn Borg let him rest.
After Saturday’s session, the World Team led 8:4 points. Sunday started with the doubles match between Casper Ruud/Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton/Francis Tiafoe, which the Europeans won 6:2, 7:6. Since on the last day of the “Laver Cup” as a rule, three points are awarded for a victory, the result was 7:8.
Ben Shelton brought one victory to the World Team from the ultimate victory after 6:7, 7:5, 10:7 over Daniil Medvedev. And the hopes of the Europeans looked buried when Frances Tiafoe took the first set against Alexander Zverev and took the lead in the second.
However, the German received valuable advice from Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov and found the strength to turn around for a 6:7, 7:5, 10:5 final at Uber Arena Berlin.
During his conversation with Dimitrov, Zverev complained that he would have to run more, to which the Bulgarian replied: “No, if you play in the middle, you will have time to take a neutral position again and then go on the attack again.”
“Cup Laver” went to the hands of Grigor Dimitrov and the European team
Trailing by 10:11 points, the final match of the tournament was decisive for the cup. Carlos Alcaraz went to court again, already in singles, and after 6:2, 7:5 brought the “Laver Cup” to the Europeans for the first time since 2011. The Spaniard fell into the hands of his fellow players immediately, with Grigor Dimitrov being the first to reach it.
“Cup Laver” went to the hands of Grigor Dimitrov and the European team
The next edition of the competition will be next year in San Francisco, and then there will be new captains. Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi will replace Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.