“I felt like I was Roger Federer” – Tiafoe edges out Medvedev to hand Team World the lead

Team World wanted to continue their momentum from the end of the first day of the Laver Cup, and US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe provided exactly that – giving the team a 4-2 lead in the competition.

The American did so by battling back from a set down vs world No 5 Danill Medvedev, putting on a stunning show of variety to clinch his first ever win over the Russian in his career (3-6, 6-4, 10-5). PLaying on a court slower than what Tiafoe would likely prefer, the Cincinnati finalist maximised his opportunities after landing his first serve, winning a very impressive 82 percent when doing so.

Tiafoe after the win: “I’m having a lot of fun right now”

Speaking after the victory to Mark Petchey, the American said, while possessing a beaming smile:

“It was crazy, I played pretty well there in the second set (laughs). Honestly, I just started having fun, laughing with my team and really finding my rhythm. The court is obviously much slower to what I’m used to playing on, so it was tough to play Danill on this court, but, mid-way through the second set, I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly.”

Tiafoe also elaborated on how he managed to finally beat Medvedev, after losing their previous five meetings:

“I just have a lot more confidence in myself, I’m having a lot of fun playing the game at the moment, just trying to play the right way, compete the right way, and let the chips falls where they may. I respect everyone, but just not fearing anyone at the moment.”

Results of the first day (each victory counts one point):

1. Cerundolo (World) b. Ruud (Europe): 6-4, 6-4 | World 1-0 Europe
2. Tsitsipas (E) b. Kokkinakis (W): 6-1, 6-4 | World 1-1 Europe
3. Dimitrov (E) b. Tabilo (W): 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2) | World 1-2 Europe
4. Fritz/Ben Shelton (W) b. Zverev/Alcaraz (E): 7-6 (5), 6-4 | World 2-2 Europe

Results of the second day (each victory counts two points):

1. Tiafoe (World) b. Medvedev (Europe): 3-6, 6-4, 10-5 | World 4-2 Europe
2. Alcaraz (World) b. Shelton (Europe) : 6-4, 6-4 | World 4-4 Europe

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