Group World took an enormous step in the direction of retaining its Laver Cup title because it prolonged its benefit over Group Europe to 10-2 on Saturday, with Individuals Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe main the cost.
John McEnroe’s group now requires one win from its 4 matches on Sunday to achieve the 13-point mark and declare its second crown, however with every victory value three factors on the ultimate day Group Europe nonetheless has some hope.
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Group World arrived at Vancouver’s Rogers Enviornment with a 4-0 lead after 4 wins on the primary day of the competitors.
With every victory value two factors on the second day, world quantity eight Fritz put Group World in a commanding place after an exciting 6-2 7-6(3) win over Russian Andrey Rublev.
“Any sort of group atmosphere, I really feel it at all times elevates my sport,” mentioned Fritz, who avenged his Monte Carlo semi-final defeat by Rublev earlier this yr.
“I really feel like my report in group occasions is powerful as a result of I’ve a group cheering for me. I get pumped up. I’m excited to play for them. It simply provides extra strain and hearth to it.”
Casper Ruud pulled a win again for Bjorn Borg’s Group Europe with a 7-6(6) 6-2 victory over American Tommy Paul, however Tiafoe defeated Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 7-5 6-3 to present his group an 8-2 lead.
Tiafoe pulled off one of many photographs of the match with a volley behind his again and adopted it up with a winner on the web within the second set to please the group.
“I got here out right here eager to have enjoyable,” Tiafoe mentioned. “Being within the group atmosphere is so international to us. Tennis is such a person sport.
“I wished to play nicely for the fellows, for the followers.”
Native hero Felix Auger-Aliassime teamed up with American Ben Shelton for a 7-5 6-4 victory over Hurkacz and Gael Monfils to cap off one other good day for the defending champions.