Shelton, Cerúndolo, Auger and the couple formed between Paul and Tiafoe, added a full performance for the Rest of the World team on the first day
Only in the doubles was the European team able to win a set
The European team crashed this Friday at the start of the Laver Cup with a 0-4 against the team from the rest of the world powered by tennis players Americans.
In this new edition of the Laver Cup, which is held in Vancouver (Canada), the young American Ben Shelton (19 ATP), recent semi-finalist in the US Open, gave the first point to the World team by defeating Frenchman Arthur Fils (44) by 7-6(4) and 6-1.
Later, the Argentine Francisco cerundolo (21) won the Hispanic duel against the Spanish Alejandro Davidovich (25) by 6-3 and 7-5.
In the afternoon session, the European team suffered a new defeat as the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (14) beat the French Gael Monfils (142) by 6-4 and 6-3.
The doubles, also with American flavor
The most disputed match was the doubles match with which the first day closed. The American couple formed by Frances Tiafoe (11) and Tommy Paul (13) won the first set 6-3 but Fils and Russian Andrey Rublev (6) won the second 6-4.
Finally, Tiafoe and Paul won the tiebreaker by 10-6.
Rising to the occasion. #MoetMoment pic.twitter.com/xqWhGeGQpl
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 23, 2023
The World team, coached by John McEnroe as captain and his brother Patrick as vice-captain, defends the title it won last year in London over the European team in what was its first victory in the history of this competition.
Over three days, all those summoned will play at least one individual match, but no more than two. At least four players from each team must participate in doubles.
The team that reaches 13 points first will win. Friday’s games are worth one point, Saturday’s games are worth two points and Sunday’s games are worth three points.
Europe won in 2017 by 15-9, in 2018 by 13-8, in 2019 by 13-11 and in 2021 by 14-1. The rest of the World team won in 2022 by 13-8.
Roger Federer, responsible for the organization of the Laver Cup, was seen among the public just one year after participating in this tournament with which he officially said goodbye to professional tennis.