Auger-Aliassime upsets Djokovic to give Team World lead for first time at Laver Cup
The Canadian’s win means Team World will win the Laver Cup if they win either of the remaining two matches on Sunday
Novak Djokovic and Félix Auger-Aliassime, Laver Cup 2022 | © Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic
Felix Auger-Aliassime turned the Laver Cup on its head at London’s O2 on Sunday, winning back to back doubles and singles matches to put Team World ahead for the first time in this year’s event, at 10-8.
First Auger-Aliassime partnered Jack Sock to victory over Andy Murray and Berrettini but then the Canadian produced a massive surprise as he upended former world No 1 Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6 (3).
With three points for each win on day 3 and 13 points needed for victory, the result means Team World can wrap up victory if they win either of the remaining two matches. Team Europe must win both to maintain their perfect record in the Laver Cup, having won all four previous editions.
Auger-Aliassime upsets the odds
Djokovic had looked in imperious form on Saturday when he won back to back singles and doubles matches himself but on Sunday, he found Auger-Aliassime too hot to handle.
The Canadian found himself a break down early on but quickly turned it around and Djokovic, who had been shaking out his right wrist before the match began, had no answer to his firepower.
Djokovic fightback proves in vain
When Auger-Aliassime opened up a 3-1 lead in the second set, it looked like he might pull away for victory but as he has done so often, Djokovic dug deep.
The Serb broke to love to get back on serve at 3-3 and then saved two break points as he held from 15-40 to get his nose in front.
But Auger-Aliassime would not be denied and he raced to a 6-2 lead in the tiebreak. Though Djokovic saved the first with an ace it was too little too late and the Canadian wrapped up a superb win to put his team on the verge of a victory that had looked unlikely when they trailed 8-4 overnight.
TEAM WORLD 10-8 TEAM EUROPE
Day 3:
Auger-Aliassime (W) – Djokovic (E) 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Sock & Auger-Aliassime (W) – Berrettini & Murray (E) 2-6, 6-3, 10-8
Day 2:
Djokovic/Berrettini (E) – Sock/De Minaur (W) 7-5, 6-2
Djokovic (E) – Tiafoe (W) 6-1, 6-3
Tiafoe (W) – Norrie (E) 6-1, 4-6, 10-8
Berrettini (E) – Auger-Aliassime (W) 7-6 (11), 4-6, 10-7
Day 1:
Ruud (E) – Sock (W) : 6-4, 5-7, [10-7]
Tsitsipas (E) – Schwartzman (W) : 6-2, 6-1
De Minaur (W) – Murray (E) : 5-7, 6-3, [10-7]
Tiafoe/Sock (W) – Nadal/Federer (E) : 4-6, 7-5, [11-9]
