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.
You may also like
Join the Betting Planet team!
Are you passionate about sports betting? Sports news writers required TODAY!
Experienced preferred but not essential. (All apps considered).
View Careers at Race MediaTop Online Casinos
Latest Betting News
- Miocic says fans don’t want Jones v Aspinall at UFC 309
- WTA Finals: Sabalenka makes semi-finals, Rybakina eliminated
- Tennis: Zverev ends Humbert’s run at Paris Masters
- New Zealand win Mumbai Test to seal series whitewash in India
- Buccaneers @ Chiefs betting picks & top props | NFL Monday
- India facing tricky chase against NZ on third day of Mumbai Test
- Zverev to face in-form Humbert in Paris Masters final
- Tonga stun New Zealand to reach Pacific Cup final
- WTA Finals 2024 betting tips, odds & predictions
- India v NZ: Honours shared on day one of third Test
Casino Guides
- Safest online casino jurisdictions
- How to guides
- How to win at pokies
- How to play online pokies
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- 32Red Casino Review
- All Slots Casino Review
- Boombet Casino review
- Horse racing games at casinos
- Credit card deposits at online casinos
- Films about blackjack
- Live dealer casinos
- How to play live dealer blackjack party
- Online Blackjack
- Top online casinos 2024
- Online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- Online slots
- Playing Pai Gow Poker on the Internet
- Online keno
- Online poker
- Online poker tournament structures
- Real money online roulette 2024
- Online multi-wheel roulette – what is it?
- How to play online scratch cards in 2024
- Sit & Go online poker tournaments
- Skrill e-wallet deposits at online casinos
- Visa online casino deposits
Sports Betting Guides
Casino Games
Deposits & Withdrawals
Football
Basketball
Top Country Betting sites
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Brazil
- Canada
- Dominican Republic
- Germany
- Ghana
- Grenada
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe