Captain John McEnroe’s world selection gained a clear lead on the first day of the Laver Cup in Vancouver. Compared to Team Europe, which competes without Novak Djokovic (Serbia), Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) or Olympic champion Alexander Zverev (Hamburg), the defending champion leads 4-0, the world selection only left the Europeans around team boss Björn Borg to win one set.
Ben Shelton (USA) beat Arthur Fils (France) 7:6 (7:4), 6:1, Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina) won against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Spain) 6:3, 7:5, and Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) defeated Gael Monfils (France) 6:4, 6:3. At the end, the US doubles Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe got the fourth point (6:3, 4:6, 10:6 against Andrej Rublew/Fils).
The Laver Cup, an invention of Roger Federer and his agency Team8, is being held for the sixth time. Europe won the first four duels before the World team triumphed for the first time last year – at the emotional end of the Swiss Federer’s career. Federer (42) watched the games in Vancouver from the stands. Before the doubles, the 20-time Grand Slam winner threw the coin.
The Europeans have a chance of winning despite the clear deficit. Laver Cup mode rewards wins on the second and third days with more points. Six more singles and two doubles are on the schedule.