Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Frances Tiafoe and Team World stun Europe and Roger Federer to win tournament
Team World produced a stunning upset as they swept all three matches on Sunday, with Felix Auger-Aliassime beating Novak Djokovic and Tiafoe defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas
Team World produced a stunning comeback on the final day to shock Team Europe and win the Laver Cup for the first time, denying Roger Federer on the final tournament of his career.
The World team, who had lost all four previous editions of the Laver Cup, needed to win three out of four matches to defeat the European team but swept a dramatic day to upset the odds at the O2 Arena in London. The script was flipped in style following the opening two matches of the day. After Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini were beaten in the doubles, Felix Auger-Aliassime produced a stunning performance in the singles to defeat Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6.
It left the World needing just one victory to lift the Laver Cup, and Frances Tiafoe produced it with a thrilling comeback victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas, in which he saved four match points and won two tiebreaks. It came after Federer waved a tearful farewell to tennis following his emotional defeat alongside Rafael Nadal on the opening night, on what was a special weekend of tennis.
Relive the action from the final day of the Laver Cup, below:
Team World win Laver Cup as Tiafoe beats Tsitsipas to seal thrilling comeback
Frances Tiafoe proved the pantomime villain for a second time at the Laver Cup after his epic comeback downed Stefanos Tsitsipas and denied Roger Federer one final trophy before retirement.
A 1-6 7-6 (11) 10-8 victory for the US Open semi-finalist in the 11th match of the Ryder Cup-style team competition helped Team World taste success in the tournament at the fifth time of asking.
Tiafoe’s remarkable win saw John McEnroe’s group hit the magic 13-point mark first on a dramatic and thrilling Sunday at the O2 where they claimed a maiden Laver Cup by a 13-8 scoreline.
It was American Tiafoe who teamed up with Jack Sock on Friday night to beat Federer and Rafael Nadal in an emotional doubles contest which brought the curtain down on the Swiss’ glittering career.
Team World win Laver Cup as Tiafoe beats Tsitsipas to seal thrilling comeback
A celebratory weekend of action began with Roger Federer’s final match and ended with Team Europe succumbing on the final day
Laver Cup 2022: TEAM WORLD WIN THE LAVER CUP!
Frances Tiafoe and Felix Auger-Aliassime were the players of the day for Team World. Tiafoe was just immense in beating Tsitsipas, after the Greek had produced sublime tennis to take the first set 6-1.
Tiafoe: “Our captain Johnny Mac was tired of losing, he was dropping F-bombs all week, saying we need to get it down this year. I said all week this was our year. Guys showed up. Felix beat Novak today. Jack (Sock) and Felix played incredible toubles today.
“It wasn’t just me but I showed a lot of heart to get this done. I was getting my ass kicked for a while but I kept going. This is big, we’re going to celebrate big tonight.”
Tiafoe later said they would still be going at 6:20am.
Laver Cup 2022: TEAM WORLD WIN THE LAVER CUP!
Rod Laver will now present the Laver Cup to Team World. It’s a heavy one but the O2 has been turned red by an incredible turnaround. This weekend was always going to be special because of Federer but hopefully that seals the Laver Cup’s place on the calendar - it’s a thrilling format when close and competitive like today.
Laver Cup 2022: TEAM WORLD WIN THE LAVER CUP!
Federer: “I did not expect to speak, so I don’t have a speech ready. Congratulations to Team World, amazing comeback. I was very confident coming into today. My team has been fantastic. I’ve enjoyed every minute. It has been emotional at times. I hope I didn’t make the team lose but I had a great time, I can’t thank you enough for that. Thank to Bjorn, thank you to Rod Laver. I will be in Vancouver next year.”
Laver Cup 2022: TEAM WORLD WIN THE LAVER CUP!
There will be a word or two from the European team captain Bjorn Bjorg. “Congratualtions. Great tennis, great matches. You were too good for us.”
But here’s Roger Federer...
Laver Cup 2022: TEAM WORLD WIN THE LAVER CUP!
Amazing scenes in London. Not many people gave the World team a chance, especially after Djokovic won his two matches last night.
The European team will be gutted. Tsitsipas had four match points against Tiafoe. Murray lost both of his matches.
But it’s been a special weekend of tennis, one that featured an unforgettable night on Friday as Federer played his final match.
That night brought the emotion, today brought the drama. When it gets it right, the Laver Cup can certaintly deliver.
Laver Cup 2022: TEAM WORLD WIN THE LAVER CUP!
“It’s been a long time,” says the World captain John McEnroe. “We’ve been beaten up a couple of times. It looked like we were in trouble. This is a great group of young guys.”
What a weekend of tennis it has been.
Laver Cup 2022: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-1 6-7 (8-10) Frances Tiafoe - TEAM WORLD WIN THE LAVER CUP!
Incredible. What a turnaround from the World team today. They had to win three matches out of four - and have swept all three!
They lost this tournament 14-1 last year. They faced questions of the tournament lacking competition. What an answer.
These are scenes you don’t always see in tennis.
Laver Cup 2022: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-1 6-7 (8-10) Frances Tiafoe - TEAM WORLD WIN THE LAVER CUP!
Stunning! That has to be one of the best (two) tiebreaks I’ve ever seen. It’s astonishing from Tiafoe. How did he turn that match around?!
It means the villians have beaten the superheroes. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray are beaten.
The World team, after four defeats in this tournament, are loving this. It’s their first victory.
Laver Cup 2022: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-1 6-7 (8-10) Frances Tiafoe - Game, set and match!
Oooof. It’s back to 8-6. Tsitsipas gets the big serve and then Tiafoe clips the net-cord. The crowd rally behind Tsitsipas and Europe. And then Tiafoe frames his forehand, it rockets into the sky! Now it’s only 8-7!
Tsitsipas goes wide on the forehand! It’s match point, Laver Cup point!
And Tiafoe went for the winner off the second serve - but it’s wide!
He’ll have another chance!
AND THEY HAVE DONE IT! THE WORLD HAVE DONE IT! Tiafoe pushes Tsitsipas back on his forehand, and the Greek nets! It’s all over!
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies