Laver Cup: Federer/Djokovic lose at Premiere, Europe leads 3:1

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have lost their first double appearance together. The two Europeans lost to Jack Sock and Kevin Anderson at the Laver Cup in Chicago.

It’s not often that a double is the highlight of a team competition. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal caused a sensation at the Laver Cup last year. On Friday evening (local time) in Chicago Federer and Novak Djokovic made their debut.

And this after the two legends had driven their team-mates Grigor Dimitrov, Kyle Edmund and David Goffin to a 3-0 lead for the European selection all day long. Literally, because the exchange between the players in the Laver Cup is fluid. And very dynamic.

Djokovic and Federer, however, met the man who had won the last two Grand Slam titles in doubles at Mike Bryan’s side: Jack Sock. And Kevin Anderson proved to be too strong for “Fedole”. Sock/Anderson won the first double of the event with 6:7 (5), 6:3 and 10:5 and scored the first point for Team World.

In the first match of the day Grigor Dimitrov had no trouble with Frances Tiafoe, Kyle Edmund and David Goffin had to go through Jack Sock and Diego Schwartzman into the match tie-break.

Team Europe under captain Björn Borg is leading John McEnroe’s team 3-1. 13 points are necessary for overall success. In Saturday’s matches, two points will be awarded for each win, and three points on Sunday.

The second day will be opened by the German number one, Alexander Zverev. The Hamburg native meets John Isner. Roger Federer then plays Nick Kyrgios.