Laver Cup 2023: Team fever grips Team World as they close on dominant win over Team Europe

An inspired Team World moved within touching distance of a dominant Laver Cup victory after extending their advantage over Team Europe on day two in Vancouver.

John McEnroe’s charges are loving life in the team environment unique to this tournament in what is typically a cut-and-thrust individual sport.

“I want to compete for the guys, I want to play well for the guys,” Frances Tiafoe said after beating Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets on Saturday.

“I played really well tonight. Just being in a team environment is so foreign to us as tennis players, it’s such an individual sport.”

Tiafoe’s compatriot, Taylor Fritz, echoed his sentiments after putting some early red on the board with his 6-2 7-6(3) victory over Andrey Rublev.

“Any type of team environment, I feel like it always elevates my game,” Fritz said. “I feel like my record in team events is really strong because I have a team cheering for me.

“I get pumped up. I’m excited to play for them. It just adds more pressure and fire to it. I think I play better in those situations.

With wins counting for two points on Saturday, Fritz put Team World 6-0 ahead after Friday’s 4-0 clean sweep.

The world No. 8 was near perfect behind his serve in the opening set, dropping just two points as he seized the early initiative. The second set was a closer affair, but a “motivated” Fritz wouldn’t be denied the victory he craved.

“Yesterday, all the guys played really well. I felt that and wanted to come out on court and show what I can do. That definitely motivated me,” he added.

“I hope it looked as good as I thought it looked on the court.”

Casper Ruud stopped the bleeding for Bjorn Borg’s side, beating Tommy Paul in straight sets in game two, but that was as good as it got on another miserable day for Team Europe.

In the anchor match, Felix Auger-Aliassime lived up to his billing as “Laver Cup Felix” as he teamed up with Ben Shelton to topple Hubert Hurkacz and Gael Monfils 7-5 6-4.

Shelton, who starred on day one, paid tribute to his partner after coming out on top in what was a thrilling battle.

“It’s amazing, when you play with a guy who serves and returns like Felix, is as athletic as him, and goes back for the overhead as strong as him, it’s a fun time,” Shelton said.

“We call him ‘Laver Cup Felix’ because he turns into something special this week, just glad I got to share the court with him at least once.”

Auger-Aliassime added: “The best comes out of me when I’m playing not only for myself but for team-mates. Ben carried me through the end of that match, it was tough for me to get it done.”

That victory gave Team World a 10-2 lead in the race to 13 points as they close in on a successful Laver Cup defence.

McEnroe, however, stressed caution with another four matches to come on the third and final day of action.

“We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing. The job’s not done but we’re pretty close.”