Team World favourites to win Laver Cup after day two upsets

Team World are now the favourites to win the 2024 Laver Cup, with tennis betting sites putting them at -138.89 after the team added three more victories to their tally on day two of the tournament in Berlin on Saturday.

Heading into the seventh edition of the event that pits tennis players from Europe against those from elsewhere in the world, Team World were marked as +300 underdogs.

Day one ended in the honours being shared, with each side winning two matches.

With the points doubled on day two, however, Team World edged ahead and gained a decisive 8-4 lead heading into the final day of action this Sunday.

Tiafoe and Fritz deliver upsets

First on court was Frances Tiafoe, who has been in the form of his life the past two months after making the Cincinnati Masters final and last four at the US Open.

The American continued his momentum, upsetting hardcourt specialist Daniil Medvedev, who was a favourite to win the tie at top sports bookmakers.

Tiafoe initially fell behind a set but powered back to win 3-6, 6-4, 10-5, giving Team World a lead.

“It was crazy, I played pretty well there in that second set,” he said afterwards.

“Honestly, I just started having fun, I started to find my rhythm.

“Midway in the second set and in the tiebreak, I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly.

“I respect everyone, but I’m just not fearing anyone at the moment.”

Order returned in the second match of the day, when world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz hit back for Team Europe by dismissing Ben Shelton in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Alcaraz was particularly clutch, saving all five break points he faced across the match.

He also defended resolutely, and defused Shelton’s serve and volley strategy early in the match with some blistering passes.

Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev were up next, a match that tennis fans have seen three times already in the last four months.

With Zverev the highest-ranked European player, the expectation was that he would gain revenge for his recent loss to Fritz at the US Open and hand Team Europe the lead.

However, Fritz continued his winning ways over the German, prevailing 6-4, 7-5 to give Team World a 6-4 lead overall.

“I’ve been fortunate to play some really good matches these last couple of times,” explained Fritz about his success against the world No.2.

“It’s something that I’ve been working on for a really long time.

“I’m also trying to come forward, add a little bit of variety to my game.”

Zverev described Fritz’s performance as “the best match I have ever seen him play”.

“Felt like it was impossible to hit a winner, he was everywhere,” he continued.

“Today, definitely it felt like I was playing Novak Djokovic from a few years ago.”

Shelton maintains impressive Laver Cup doubles record

In the final match of the day, Shelton and Alejandro Tabilo combined for a dominant display in the doubles.

Shelton is undefeated across doubles in the Laver Cup, and maintained that record with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas in just 69 minutes.

“I wanted to come out to redeem myself tonight,” Shelton explained after the pair’s doubles victory.

“Carlitos [Alcaraz] was just too good in the singles, and Alejandro helped me.”

Day three of the Laver Cup brings triple points for all matches.

With the first team to reach 13 points being crowned the champions and the score sitting at 8-4, Team World require two wins, while Team Europe need three.

Action will begin with Alcaraz and Ruud taking on Shelton and Tiafoe in the doubles.

Three singles ties will then follow, with Medvedev against Shelton, Zverev facing Tiafoe, and Alcaraz vs Fritz rounding out the play on Sunday.

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