He World Team defend the title of Laver Cup this weekend in Vancouver (Canada) to confirm that last year’s victory in London against the European Team (13-8), the first in the history of the competition, was not just an anecdote.
In most American formations, the Cup defenders will have John McEnroe as captain and his brother Patrick as vice-captain. Next to Taylor Fritz (8 ATP), Frances Tiafoe (Eleven), Tommy Paul (13) and Ben Shelton (19), called the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (14) and the Argentine Francisco Cerundolo (twenty-one).
Swedish captain Björn Borgattended by Thomas Enqvist, the european team it was developed by Russian Andrey Rublev (6 ATP), the Norwegian Casper Ruud (9), the Polish Hubert Hurkacz (16), Spanish Alexander Davidovich (25) and the French Arthur Fils (44) and Gael Monfils (142).
The matches of Fils-Shelton, a rivalry between younger teams, and Davidovich-Cerundolo will open the sixth edition of Laver on Friday night (early morning on Saturday in Europe). The day will be completed with the clash between Monfils and Auger-Aliassime and the doubles Rublev/Fils against Tiafoe/Paul.
During the three days, all those called up will play at least one individual match, but no more than two. At least four players from each team must participate in doubles.
The team that reaches 13 points first wins. Friday games are worth one point, two points on Saturday and three on Sunday.
“Everyone who follows this competition knows that I love it and what it represents for me, because of the team spirit, which always makes me happy in the Davis Cup,” McEnroe said before the matches began.
Borg admitted last year’s defeat was “a big disappointment” and said his six players “are hoping to bring the trophy back to Europe.”
Casper Ruud, who has already played in 2021 and 2022, said “it’s great to have your usual rivals as teammates.”
The presence of the Swiss Roger Federer, now responsible for the organization of the tournament that he played in the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022 editions, where he retired, is expected in the matches.
Europe won in 2017 by 15-9, in 2018 by 13-8, in 2019 by 13-11 and in 2021 by 14-1 and the rest of the world team won in 2022 by 13-8.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
