Thanks for tuning into Sportstar’s live coverage of day two of the Laver Cup 2022. This was Nihit Sachdeva taking you through the action as it unfolded at the O2 Arena in London.
That’s it for day two. Going into the final day where every win gives three points, Team Europe leads Teams World 8-4. Do join us for final day’s coverage of the Laver Cup 2022. Till then, take care and stay safe.
| DJOKOVIC/BERRETTINI (TEAM EUROPE) | 7 | |
| SOCK/DE MINAUR (TEAM WORLD) | 5 |
SECOND SET (* denotes server)
Sock serving to stay in the match. Forehand into the net from the Italian - 15-all. Backhand error from Sock - 15-30. Wide serve into the ad court from Sock and Berrettini hits the backhand return into the net. Berrettini keeps the rally alive with a forehand lob after De Minaur fails to put the overhead away and Sock hits the forehand into the net. Match point for Team Europe. De Minaur with another overhead, Berrettini hits the lob again but it is just long - deuce. Lob from Djokovic followed by a forehand crosscourt volley from Berrettini - another match point chance. Second serve from Sock, Berrettini hits the backhand crosscourt return and Sock hits the forehand into the net. Djokovic and Berrettini win 7-5, 6-2!
Djokovic serving. The Serbian misses a simple forehand volley. Forehand down the middle from De Minaur, Berrettini and Djokovic let it go and rightly so as it it long - 15-all. Extraordinary rally - Sock tries to intercept the crosscourt exchange between Djokovic and De Minaur but fails. However, the Australian, already on the run behind him, sends a crosscourt forehand. Djokovic hits forehand down the line and De Minaur tries his best to reach there but can’t - 30-15. De Minaur misses an easy forehand volley. Overhead smash from the Serbian to close the game.
De Minaur serving. An important love hold for the Australian.
Wide serve into the deuce court from Berrettini followed by an overhead smash from Djokovic - 15-0. De Minaur mishits the crosscourt forehand - 40-0. Big body serve from the Italian and Sock hits the backhand return wide.
Sock begins service game with a forehand error - the ball balloons off his racquet and goes way past the baseline. T ace from the American - 15-all. Strong forehand from Berrettini and De Minaur’s backhand volley goes long. Djokovic hits a crosscourt forehand into the net - 30-all. De Minaur’s first overhead smash is returned by Berrettini and the following smash from the Australian lands wide. Break point for Team Europe and they convert it as Sock hits a forehand into the net.
Djokovic serve. Ends the opening rally with a delicate crosscourt forehand volley which dies before De Minaur can get to it. Sock hits a backhand crosscourt volley into the net - 40-0. Love hold for Djokovic as Sock’s forehand return down the middle lands beyond the baseline.
Djokovic attacks De Minaur’s second serve and ends the point with an overhead smash. Second serve down the middle and Djokovic hits the backhand return long - 30-15. Excellent T serve from De Minaur and Berrettini’s forehand return goes long. Sock misses a forehand volley - 40-30. Great move by Sock to move to his left and end the point with a backhand crosscourt volley.
Berrettini serving first in the second set. Love hold for the Italian.
FIRST SET (* denotes server)
Sock to serve to stay in the set. Backhand slice into the net from Sock - 15-all. Lovely overhead smash from De Minaur to go 30-15. Lucky backhand return from the Italian, takes a deflection off the net cord and Berrettini himself ends the point with a crosscourt backhand volley to make it 30-all. Set point for Djokovic and Berrettini as the Italian surprises De Minaur with a forehand volley. Incredible backhand get from Djokovic to keep the rally alive and Sock hits the return into the net. Djokovic and Sock take the set 7-5!
Djokovic serving. Wide serve in the deuce court and De Minaur is unable to get the forehand return in. Sock and De Minaur close in after a lob forces Djokovic to track back but the Serbian hits a forehand down the middle which dips in time to no allow Sock to hit the volley. Heavy backhand return from Sock. Love hold for Djokovic.
De Minaur serving to stay in the set and begins with a double fault. Body serve from the Australian and a heavy crosscourt forehand return from Djokovic - 30-15. Djokovic answers Sock’s overhead smash with an overhead lob to keep the rally alive and Berrettini, eventually finds one backhand volley that land’s at the American’s feet - 30-all. Djokovic, surprisingly, overhits a forehand return and it is 40-30. Delicate backhand volley from Sock to end the game.
Berrettini serving for the set. Misses an easy overhead smash and goes down 0-30. Excellent move at the net from Sock to get the forehand volley in and Team World has three break points. We are back on serve as Berrettini hits a forehand down the line into the net.
Two forehand errors from Sock and Team World is 0-30 down. Two heavy backhand returns from Djokovic and Berrettini - 30-all. Backhand into the net from the Serbian and it is a game point for Sock. De Minaur hits the backhand volley into the net - deuce. Nice move from Berrettini to switch to the backhand volley after making it look like he was going for the forehand. Set point for Team Europe but it disappears quickly as Sock gets Berrettini backhand return into the net on his first serve. Heavy backhand from Djokovic, goes long and Sock has a game point. Backhand return from Berrettini goes wide.
Djokovic serves. A chaotic point as De Minaur manages to get to the backhand volley at the net from Berrettini and hits a crosscourt forehand. Djokovic hits a forehand down the line while falling and Sock sends a simple forehand into the open court. A deuce game but eventually, Djokovic holds.
Again. De Minaur hits the body serve but Djokovic returns with an inside-out backhand winner. Berrettini’s backhand return allows Sock to hit a simple forehand volley winner. Wide serve into the ad court from De Minaur, Berrettini can’t get the backhand return in - 30-all. T ace from the Australian, no chance for Djokovic this time. Backhand volley down the middle from birthday boy Jack Sock to close the game.
Berrettini serves. De Minaur makes the move too early and this time, Berrettini hits the forehand down the line pass to go 30-0 up. Heavy forehand from the Australian goes wide. Three game points for the Italian. Forehand volley into the net from De Minaur.
Sock begins serving with a double fault. A backhand volley into the net from De Minaur and Team World is down 15-30. Djokovic makes the move a little too early and Sock hits a forehand pass to make it 30-all. T serve from Sock and the ball bounces above Djokovic’s racquet who was going for the backhand return. De Minaur’s backhand volley down the middle closes the game.
Djokovic serving. Textbook stuff. Love hold.
Djokovic starts off with an inside-out backhand return on De Minaur’s first serve. Sock puts the forehand volley away after Berrettini’s backhand return on wide serve into the ad court from De Minaur. A double fault from De Minaur. Sock sends a simple backhand volley long and two break points for Djokovic-Berrettini pair. The Serbian seals the break with a crosscourt smash.
Berrettini to serve. Sock ends the first rally with an overhead smash down the middle. De Minaur and Sock look to close the net but the Australian hits the forehand into the net in the process. Backhand return from De Minaur lands into the net on Berrettini’s serve down the middle. A heavy inside-out forehand from Berrettini - 30-all. Berrettini serves it wide to the Aussie’s forehand and gets a heavy return in response. De Minaur makes another error on the forehand.
1 :25AM IST - Here we go. Final match of the day - Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini face Jack Sock and Alex de Minaur.
Djokovic on Federer’s farewell in his on-court interview - “One of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever experienced in my life for sure. I can speak on my behalf. What got me the most emotional was when his children came up, and I saw them tearing up.”
| NOVAK DJOKOVIC (TEAM EUROPE) | 6 | |
| FRANCES TIAFOE (TEAM WORLD) | 1 |
SECOND SET (* denotes server)
Tiafoe serving to stay in the match. Djokovic takes the first point with a gorgeous forehand down the line. A T ace from Tiafoe and he trails 15-30. Crosscourt backhand into the net from the American and Djokovic has two match points. Crosscourt forehand into the net from Tiafoe and it’s all over. Djokovic wins 6-1, 6-3 and Team Europe leads 6-4!
A 98mph second serve from Djokovic allows Tiafoe to get into the rally and the American seals the point with a crosscourt forehand pass. Body serve from the Serbian, Tiafoe hits the crosscourt backhand return wide. Wide serve into the deuce court from Djokovic and Tiafoe can’t send his forehand return across the net. Tiafoe challenges the call unsuccessfully. Tiafoe fails to anticipate a backhand down the line from Djokovic mid-rally and ends up hitting a forehand long. Djokovic goes for the serve-and-volley but it is Tiafoe who comes out on top with a backhand down the line pass. No problem for Djokovic who closes the game with an ace wide into the ad court.
Djokovic goes for the backhand down the line return on Tiafoe’s second serve and the American is unable to send the ball back. Wide deuce court serve into Djokovic’s forehand and the Serbian hits it wide. T serve from Tiafoe and Djokovic hits the forehand down the line wide - 40-15. Body serve from Tiafoe and Djokovic’s backhand return lands long.
A backhand down the line from Tiafoe which lands bang on the sideline. A forehand down the line winner from the Serbian to make it 15-all. A wide serve into deuce court followed by a crosscourt backhand winner - Djokovic up 30-15. Tiafoe brings Djokovic in with the backhand drop and wins the point with a backhand crosscourt pass - 30-all. A 77mph second serve down the middle from Djokovic, Tiafoe swings the backhand early and sends it wide. Forehand error from the American and Djokovic holds.
Trouble for Tiafoe. Two unforced errors and he is 0-30 down. Wide serve into the deuce court and Djokovic’s forehand return hits the net. Djokovic follows it up with a backhand into the net - 30-all. A double fault from the American and Djokovic has a break point. A crosscourt backhand pass from Tiafoe to save the break point and John McEnroe absolutely loves it. Djokovic too applauds it. Astounding defending from Djokovic after a brilliant wide serve into the deuce court from Tiafoe set up the point nicely. The American eventually hit a forehand wide. Tiafoe saves another break point courtesy of a backhand crosscourt drop shot which catches the net cord and dies on Djokovic’s side - deuce again. Heavy forehand return from Djokovic on Tiafoe’s wide serve. Forehand down the line and Tiafoe holds!
Backhand pass from Tiafoe goes long. Tiafoe attacks the second serve with a backhand down the line but puts a little too much on it - 40-0. A T ace to close the game. Djokovic holds to love.
Pressure on Tiafoe. Begins the game with a serve-and-volley, Djokovic’s forehand crosscourt takes a deflection off the net and Tiafoe simply hits a crosscourt forehand pass. Djokovic goes for a spinning forehand down the line but the ball does not spin back in enough- Tiafoe up 40-0. Deep backhand return from Djokovic right at a rushing Tiafoe’s feet. Crosscourt forehand from Tiafoe goes wide - 40-30. It’s deuce as Djokovic hits a forehand down the line return forcing a heavy forehand return from Tiafoe which goes over the baseline. Body serve from Tiafoe followed by an inside-out forehand winner at 102mph. Tiafoe hits a simple crosscourt forehand volley to close the game. Big hold for the American.
Quick reflexes from Djokovic to adjust the forehand crosscourt volley pass to Tiafoe’s backhand crosscourt - 30-0 up. Djokovic goes for the drop shot, Tiafoe gets to it and manages to send the ball over the net with the Serbian’s reply landing into the net. A 16-shot rally and a rare error from Djokovic who hits the backhand crosscourt into the net - 30-all. Serve and volley tried from Djokovic but the tactic does not work and all of a sudden, Tiafoe has a break point. Djokovic stays in the rally with backhand slices and crosscourt returns before the American eventually sends one wide - deuce. Second serve, wide in deuce court and Tiafoe’s forehand return goes long. A blazing forehand down the line from Djokovic to consolidate the break.
Trouble for Tiafoe early in the second set as he goes 15-30 down on his own serve. Second serve, on the body, and Djokovic hits the backhand return into the net. Forehand down the line goes wide from the American on a ball that kept low and had no pace. Break point for Djokovic. Djokovic wrongfoots Tiafoe and hits a backhand down the line winner to seal the break.
FIRST SET (* denotes server)
Love hold. Set sealed. Done. Absolutely phenomenal stuff from the Serbian.
Wide serve into the deuce court from Tiafoe and Djokovic hits the forehand return long. Heavy backhand from the Serbian in the next rally to go 0-30 down. A double fault from Tiafoe - leads 30-15. A brief crosscourt backhand exchange before unleashing one down the line - Djokovic makes it 30-all. Overcooked forehand from Djokovic and Tiafoe has a game point. Djokovic manages to hit two crosscourt backhand returns to Tiafoe’s inside-out forehands. The American decided to go down the line with the forehand but sends it into the net - deuce. Break point for Djokovic as Tiafoe hits an inside-out forehand wide. Forehand crosscourt pass from Djokovic on Tiafoe’s backhand volley to seal the break.
Unbelievable. A literal T ace from Djokovic to go 30-0 up. Tiafoe again challenges the call unsuccessfully. Love hold for the Serbian. Top stuff.
Djokovic has Tiafoe in disbelief with an inswinging forehand down the line winner. Team World challenges the call unsuccessfully. Body serve from Tiafoe and Djokovic hits the backhand into the net. Wide serve into the deuce followed by a forehand down the line, Tiafoe looked set to win the point until Djokovic hit a crosscourt backhand pass to Tiafoe who was not ready for such volley. A forehand crosscourt going way out from Djokovic but he still has another break point at 40-30. Heavy forehand from Tiafoe lands beyond the baseline and Djokovic gets the early break.
Big first serve up the T from Djokovic and Tiafoe’s backhand barely makes it to the net. Wide ace into the ad court. And another to close the game.
Extraordinary save from Tiafoe. A crosscourt dipping forehand to a rushing in Djokovic. The Serbian hit the volley which landed close to the baseline before Tiafoe hit a crushing backhand pass down the line to go 15-0 up. Wide ace into the deuce court to go 40-0 up. Heavy backhand return from Djokovic on Tiafoe’s second serve ends the game.
Djokovic to serve. A 12-shot rally to begin with Tiafoe hitting the crosscourt forehand long at the end. T ace from Djokovic, the call originally ‘out’ but overturned later upon challenge. Another T ace to close the game.
11:45PM IST - Here we go, The night session begins with Novak Djokovic, playing his first match since winning Wimbledon, about to face US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe.
11:35PM IST - First up, the intros. Team World led by captain John McEnroe comes out into the arena first followed by Team Europe captained by Bjorn Borg.
11:20PM IST - Welcome back. The night session begins in 10 minutes with a singles match between Team Europe’s Novak Djokovic and Team World’s Frances Tiafoe.
At the end of day session of second day of the Laver Cup 2022, there is nothing to separate the two sides. The night session begins at 11:30PM IST. Stay tuned as there are two exciting matches yet to be played and both feature 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
| CAMERON NORRIE (TEAM EUROPE) | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| TAYLOR FRITZ (TEAM WORLD) | 6 | 4 | 10 |
MATCH TIEBREAK (Fritz 10-8 Norrie)
Fritz to serve first. A mishit forehand from the Brit goes flying past the baseline. Crosscourt forehand from Norrie goes long and Fritz has the mini-break at 2-0. An important point for Norrie as Fritz slightly overhits the forehand down the line. Inside-out forehand from Norrie goes wide and Fritz leads 3-1. Wide serve into the deuce court, forehand down the line and a backhand down the line winner - Fritz takes the point to go 4-1 up. Norrie hits a glorious forehand down the line but trails 2-4 at the change of ends. Crosscourt forehand volley from Fritz to go 5-2 and get a two mini-break advantage. Norrie defends astutely and gets the benefit as the American ultimately hits a forehand down the line long. We are back on serve as Fritz tries to find his way out of trouble with a backhand lob but it goes long - 5-4. Backhand into the net from Norrie and Fritz has a mini-break yet again at 6-4. And Fritz restores the double mini-break advantage with a crosscourt forehand drop shot to go 7-4 up. Heavy forehand from Norrie and he trails 4-8 at the second change of ends. Body serve from Fritz but he follows it up with a backhand down the line which goes wide. Norrie trails 5-8 with the next two points on his serve. T ace from Norrie to make it 6-8. Backhand into the net from Fritz following a sliced forehand from Norrie - Fritz leads 8-7 and to serve for the next two points. An overcooked forehand from the American and the score is level at 8-8. Match point for Fritz as this time, Norrie hits a backhand return into the net. Norrie with two serves next. Heavy forehand from Norrie lands beyond the baseline and Fritz wins the tiebreak to make it Team Europe 4-4 Team World!!!!
SECOND SET (* denotes server)
T serve followed by an inside-out forehand winner - Norrie up 30-15. Heavy forehand from Fritz and Norrie has two set points. Forehand down the line goes long from Fritz and Norrie takes the second set 6-4!
Norrie does well to come from 0-30 down to make it deuce on the American’s serve. Fritz hits a forehand wide and Norrie has a break point. A clutch forehand down the line to break and Norrie will now, serve for the set.
Norrie keeps targeting Fritz’ backhand, who stands in front of the doubles alley, and reaps reward as he goes 40-15. Unforced error from the American and Norrie holds.
Fritz keeps things close as he wins four points on the trot from 0-15 down to close the service game.
Wide serve into the ad court followed b y a forehand down the line - Norrie goes up 30-0. An audacious crosscourt forehand drop shot tried by Fritz lands just wide. Three game points for Norrie. Incredible fightback from Fritz to come back and reel off three consecutive points to make it deuce. Wide second serve out to Fritz’s forehand and the American hits the return wide. Serve and volley tried by the Brit but the latter not good enough. Fritz hits a crosscourt forehand lob to make it deuce again. Big chance for Fritz now as Norrie sends a forehand long and provides the American a break point. Norrie saves it with a terrific forehand. Norrie seals the game with a forehand crosscourt volley.
Ace wide into the ad court from Fritz to go 40-15 up. Two game points. Backhand volley to close the game. Fritz leads.
A long deuce game at the end of which Norrie hits a wayward inside-out forehand. Fritz breaks! Back on serve here.
Fritz opens his account in the second set. However, Norrie still up by a break. Talk about change in momentum
Norrie goes from 30-0 up to 30-all but manages to close the game and consolidate the break.
Fritz begins serving in the second set and guess what, Norrie breaks him to love!
FIRST SET (* denotes server)
Norrie serving to stay in the set. Three set points for Fritz as he goes 40-0 up. Norrie saves two. Can he save the third? No, he can't! Taylor Fritz takes the opening set 6-1 in just 23 minutes.
Norrie in within a chance as he goes 30-15 up on Fritz' serve. However, the American avoids any danger and closes the game.
Finally, the British No. 1 opens his account as he holds serve while losing a single point.
Fritz in the driver's seat now. Goes up 40-0 in no time. Closes the game quickly.
Norrie just not settled yet. Fritz breaks him yet again and goes up by a double break.
One unforced error from the American but nevertheless, break consolidated.
Norrie to serve first. Fritz wins the first point with a crosscourt forehand winner. Goes for the same in the next rally and sends it wide. Trouble for the Brit early on as Fritz has a break point chance at 40-30. Backhand from Norrie goes long and Fritz does get the break.
Next match in the day session - Cameron Norrie (Team Europe), the British alternate replacing Rafael Nadal, faces Taylor Fritz (Team World). The head-to-head record is 5-5.
Berrettini in the on-court interview - “I was really emotional. I told him (Federer) why we were crying, everybody was crying. The reason I chose to be a tennis player was because of him. He probably doesn’t know, but when I was a kid and he was in Rome, I was trying to sneak on the centre court as I did not have tickets.”
| MATTEO BERRETTINI (TEAM EUROPE) | 7 (13) | 4 | |
| FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME (TEAM WORLD) | 6 (11) | 6 |
Matteo Berrettini beats Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (11), 4-6, [10-7] in two hours 16 minutes to earn two points and put Team Europe ahead 4-2.
MATCH TIEBREAK (Berrettini 10-7 Auger-Aliassime)
Two cracking forehand down the line winners (both at more than 100mph) from Berrettini and he is up by a mini-break at 4-2 going into the change of ends. A double fault from the Canadian and he trails 2-5. A wide ace into the ad court from the Italian to go 6-2 ahead. A big first serve down the T followed by an inside-out forehand but the Italian tops it all with a beautiful crosscourt forehand drop shot to go 7-2 up. FAA breaks Berrettini’s run of five consecutive points with a big wide serve into the ad court. Loopy forehand shots from the Canadian and Berrettini eventually overhits a forehand return - the Italian still leads 7-4. Berrettini overcooks the forehand down the line - leads 8-5 but it is the Canadian’s serve for the next two points. T serve from FAA, heavy forehand return from the Italian - 8-6. Body serve from the Canadian wins yet another point and he trails 7-8. Berrettini with the serve for the next two points and a potential chance to close this match. A 134mph wide serve into the ad court and the Italian has two match points at 9-7. Inside-out forehand from FAA goes wide and Berrettini wins the match tiebreak 10-7 to put Team Europe ahead 4-2!
SECOND SET (* denotes server)
FAA to serve for the set and level things up. Backhand lob from Berrettini lands just long. The Canadian goes up 30-0 with a T ace. Big serve down the T followed by a forehand winner down the line to earn three set points. As the clock touches the two-hour mark, it is one-set apiece after Berrettini hits an inside-out forehand wide. A 10-point tiebreak to decide the winner of this contest.
Berrettini serving to stay in the set. Forehand error from the Italian to give away the opening point. Follows it up with a wide ace into the ad court. Wide serve into the deuce followed by a forehand into the deuce court, wrongfooting the Canadian who was moving to the other side. Berrettini holds as FAA hits a backhand slice into the net.
FAA rushes to the net and cuts the time Berrettini could get for the return with strong forehands - 40-15. A missed overhead from the Canadian - 40-30. Wide serve into the ad court and gets a heavy backhand return from the Italian.
Big serving from Berrettini. Love hold. Quickly done.
A forehand pass from FAA followed by a forehand error from the Italian - Felix up 30-0. Backhand slice into the drop from Berrettini and he goes down 0-40. A double fault from FAA. T serve from FAA, Berrettini gets the return in but the Canadian sends the inside-out forehand wide. Wide serve into the ad court to close the game for Felix.
Berrettini goes 40-0 up in no time. Fumbles a forehand to give a point away. Lovely forehand pass from the centre of the baseline from FAA to make it 30-40. A failed drop shot from the Canadian and Berrettini holds.
Love hold for FAA to consolidate the break.
A backhand crosscourt pass of the highest quality from Berrettini - dipped perfectly in time. And FAA replies with the same shot in the next rally. Talk about response! Two break point chances for FAA as he hits a dipping forehand pass from the baseline to Berrettini’s backhand at the net. FAA gets the break of serve as the Italian hits a forehand into the net.
FAA to serve. Great defensive lob from Berrettini to push FAA back but ends up hitting a forehand down the line long - 15-all. T ace from FAA takes him to 30-15. Some nervous moments at 40-30 but FAA manages to close the game as Berrettini sends the long long.
Berrettini to serve first in the second set. Begins with a love hold.
FIRST SET (* denotes server)
FAA wins the opening point with a well-time overhead smash. The Canadian gets the mini-break as he attacks Berrettini’s second serve with a backhand down the line and goes 2-0 up. Berrettini opens his account in the tiebreaker as the Canadian hits a backhand into the net. Unforced error from FAA - a forehand into the net on a short ball. A double fault from the Canadian and it is Berrettini who now has a mini-break at 3-2. The Italian serves a wide ace into the ad court to go 4-2 up at the change of ends. A thunderbolt of a serve down the T from Berrettini - 5-2. A forehand into the net and backhand down the line going wide, Berrettini loses both points on the Canadian’s serve but at 5-4, he has two serves of his own. Gritty stuff from FAA to hang in and get a shot deep into the backhand corner of the Italian who hit the return into the net - 5-all. Wide serve into the deuce court from Berrettini and FAA’s forehand return down the line goes wide. Set point for Berrettini on the Canadian’s serve. Crosscourt exchange between the two and it is the Italian who sends a backhand slice long - 6-all. Team Europe unsuccessfully challenges the call. Another change of ends. A forehand down the line from FAA lands into the net after an 18-shot rally, longest of the set. Big error as Berrettini gets second set point but this time, on his own serve. Wide serve into the ad court from Berrettini, the Canadian gets the backhand crosscourt in, the Italian goes for forehand down the line but FAA hits a gorgeous forehand crosscourt pass to save another set point. FAA goes for an inside-out forehand but the ball takes a deflection off the tape and goes wide. Third set point for Berrettini with FAA serving. Second serve, on the body, and the Italian hits the backhand into the net - 8-all. Wide serve into the deuce court from Felix and forehand return from Berrettini lands into the net. First set point for FAA at 9-8 with Berrettini serving. Second serve, on the body from Berrettini and FAA hits the crosscourt backhand wide - 9-all with ANOTHER change of ends. Wide ace into the deuce court from Berrettini - 10-9 and a fourth set point with FAA serving. Backhand pass from the Italian goes just beyond the baseline, much to the relief of the Canadian - 10-all. FAA overcooks the forehand to go down 10-11 and Berrettini gets a fifth set point with a chance to serve for it. The Canadian saves it yet again as Berrettini hits a backhand slice into the net - 11-all. A running forehand into the net from FAA and it is a sixth set point for Berrettini who goes 12-11 up with the Canadian to serve. Stunning defending from Berrettini and eventually, FAA puts the forehand volley into the net to concede the set.
FAA gets a deep forehand return right at Berrettini’s feet after a wide serve into the deuce court from the Italian. Berrettini hits the forehand long in reply. A clutch backhand volley to go 30-15 from Berrettini after FAA sends a dipping crosscourt backhand. Overhead volley in response to a backhand lob from the Canadian - Berrettini leads 40-15. Big serve up the T from the Italian, follows it up with a forehand down the line but a well controlled backhand from the Canadian goes over Berrettini and the ball lands inside the baseline. Nevertheless, Berrettini finishes the point with a crosscourt forehand volley to send the opening set into a tiebreak.
Big serve up the T from Auger-Aliassime gets a heavy backhand return from the Italian. A double fault from the Canadian - 30-15. Wide serve into the ad court followed by a forehand down the line - Auger-Aliassime up 40-15. T serve from the man in red and Berrettini’s backhand lands into the net.
Berrettini serving to stay in the set. T ace from the Italian to make it 15-all after a slice backhand went long on the opening point. Felix does well to force Berrettini to the right before going for the inside-out forehand on the other side but misses the line by a whisker. A powerful inside-out forehand from the Italian and no chance for Felix to send it back across the net - 40-15. Drop shot from Berrettini, the Canadian reaches in time and hits a forehand lob but the Italian hits the backhand crosscourt volley into the net. Unforced error from Felix - crosscourt forehand goes wide.
Another unforced error from Felix - a misguided forehand down the line - 15-all. Wide serve into the deuce court from Felix and Berrettini’s stretched forehand return goes long. Second serve, on the body, and Berrettini hits the backhand down the line wide. Easy hold for the Canadian as Berrettini hits a forehand down the line into the net.
Auger-Aliassime moves quickly to hit an inside-out forehand on the Italian’s second serve but sends it wide. Wide ace into the deuce court - Berrettini up 30-15. Auger-Aliassime keeps peppering Berrettini backhand before switching to forehand down the line and drawing a heavy return from the Italian - 30-all. Big serve up the T and Auger-Aliassime’s backhand return goes wide. Same strategy from the Canadian - attacks the Italian’s backhand but this time, comes in and gets the second overhead smash right - deuce. Unforced error from Auger-Aliassime - crosscourt backhand goes way wide. A 133mph body serve from Berrettini and Auger-Aliassime’s awkward backhand return lands into the alley.
Auger-Aliassime responds with a love hold of his own. Things on serve at the moment.
Strong service game for the Italian. Berrettini holds to love.
Big first serve down the T followed by a forehand volley down the line - Auger-Aliassime up 15-0. Delightful forehand volley from Felix, lands very close to the net and thus allows the Italian no chance to send it across. Crosscourt overhead smash and the Canadian is up 40-0. Body serve from the Canadian works nicely as Berrettini makes a mess of the backhand.
Too much height on the drop shot from Berrettini allows Felix the time to reach the net and hit a beautiful crosscourt winner. T serve and Auger-Aliassime’s backhand return lands into the net - Berrettini up 40-30. Backhand slice into the net from the Italian - deuce. An ace wide into the deuce court - call challenged successfully by Auger-Aliassime and overturned. And now Berrettini challenges the Canadian’s return correctly as the ball landed well beyond the baseline - advantage Berrettini. Overcooked forehand from Berrettini and it is deuce again. Break point opportunity for Auger-Aliassime as Berrettini hits a crosscourt backhand wide. Auger-Aliassime does well to return a 134mph first serve but hits a heavy backhand shortly - deuce again. Berrettini turns the defense into offense by following up his crosscourt backhand with a forehand down the line which forces out a heavy forehand in reply from the Canadian - advantage Berrettini. Berrettini holds as the Canadian hits a forehand long.
Auger-Aliassime goes 40-0 up in no time. Overhits the forehand down the line to waste one game point but makes up for it with a T serve bringing a heavy backhand return from the Italian.
Big serve down the middle from Berrettini draws a heavy return from the Canadian. Body serve into the ad court followed by an inside-out forehand which lands just wide - 15-all. A cracker of a T ace - 130mph. An unforced error on the forehand from Felix - overhits it and sends it wide. Wide serve into the deuce court and Felix’s forehand return hits the net. Berrettini holds.
Felix to serve first. Second serve up the T and Berrettini’s backhand return lands into the net. Follows it up with a double fault - 15-all. A 125mph first serve up the T and the Italian barely gets his racquet on the ball. And another T serve brings same result - Felix up 40-15. An ace wide into the deuce court to finish the game.
5:45PM IST - Here we go. First match of the day - Matteo Berrettini (Team Europe) vs Felix Auger-Aliassime (Team World).
5:38PM IST - And here comes Team Europe led by Bjorn Borg. Vice-captain Thomas Enqvist. Players - Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and two new faces - Matteo Berrettini and Cameron Norrie who replace Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. However, Federer is still here to support the team.
5:35PM IST - Day two begins with the introduction of captains and players of both teams. First up, Team World led by captain John McEnroe. Vice-captain - Patrick McEnroe, Players - Jack Sock, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alex De Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Diego Schwartzman, Tommy Paul (alternate)
5:20PM IST - Live action is about to begin. Till then, here is the full transcript of Roger Federer’s final on-court interview - “It’s been an amazing journey, would do it all over again”
5:10PM IST - ICYMI, here are the highlights from Day 1
5PM IST - In case you don’t know much about Laver Cup, here’s a guide that will tell you everything - format, team lineups, previous editions and more.
4:50PM IST - Here’s the complete lineup for day two
4:40PM IST - Goodbyes are always tough. However, the show must go on. Day one of the Laver Cup was all about watching legend Roger Federer playing tennis for one final time and while he did not win the match, the result in this particular situation was irrelevant.
Day two is different. Both teams mean business and since each win provides two points, every match will be fiercely contested. Live action of day session begins at 5:30PM IST. Stay tuned for the build-up!
PREVIEW
Laver Cup 2022 resumes on Saturday with two of the biggest superstars of the sport out of the competition. While the Swiss maestro Roger Federer retired from professional tennis, his long-time rival Spaniard Rafael Nadal has withdrawn due to personal reasons.
Federer played the final match of his career partnering Nadal in a 6-4, 6-7 (2), [9-11] loss to Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock on Friday. Federer and Nadal will be replaced by Matteo Berrettini and Cameron Norrie for the rest of the competition.
Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas gave Team Europe a perfect start by winning their respective singles matches during the day session. However, Team World bounced back during the night session with Alex De Minaur defeating Andy Murray followed by the doubles win of Tiafoe and Sock to level the score at 2-2 at the end of day two.
When and where to watch?
Day two matches of the Laver Cup 2022 will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network and live streamed on Sony Liv from 5:30PM IST on Saturday.
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