Laver Cup: Fritz overcomes ailing Zverev to give Team World the lead

The 2024 Laver Cup continues to seesaw, with Team World once again taking the lead over Team Europe via a Taylor Fritz win over Alexander Zverev (6-4, 7-5) on the event’s second day. The victory clinched two additional points, giving them a 6-4 lead heading into the doubles match finale.

Both players had a chance to break in their opponent’s opening service games, however, neither were able to convert and take the early lead. From there, Fritz and Zverev cruised on their service games, not facing a break point up until 4-5, where the German became surprisingly passive, and the American pounced by breaking-to-love to clinch the first set 6-4.

If the first set was lacking any drama, the same could not be said for the second set. Zverev was finally able to break the US Open finalist’s serve at 1-1, before having the opportunity for a double break – virtual set points – at 4-2, but could not replicate his break point success on that occasion. Perhaps as a direct result, Fritz was able to break back in the very next game – largely thanks to the German who looked severely fatigued and physically ailing after each extended rally. Both would hold from 4-4 until 5-6, before a Fritz forehand cross inside out winner clinched the break and the match – giving two points two Team World.

Speaking after the match, Fritz provided some details about his improving movement and volleys – two things which have previously been a weakness for him:

“It’s something I’ve been working on for a long time so I’m glad that it’s getting better, I’m also trying to come forward, add a bit more variety to my game. It’s helping a lot, especially on these type of surfaces and conditions where its slow and heavy.”

The American also spoke about Team World’s captain John McEnroe, who will be hanging up the captain’s jacket after this year’s edition:

“John’s great on the benches, it’s keeping me fired up, how can you not look at Johnny Mac on the bench and get super fired up to play? He’s great at keeping me in it, the whole team is, I love talking and communicating during matches, telling people my thought process and strategies, I’m super analytical about everything and it’s great to have others who will listen.”

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 (Europe) b. Shelton (World) : 6-4, 6-4 | World 4-4 Europe
3. Fritz (World) b. Zverev (Europe) : 6-4, 7-5 | World 6-4 Europe
4. Shelton/Tabilo (World) b. Tstisipas/Ruud (Europe) : 6-1, 6-2 | World 8-4 Europe

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