Alexander Zverev scored the decisive point for Team Europe at the Laver Cup in Chicago. In a dramatic match, the German beat Kevin Anderson 6:7 (3), 7:5 and 10:7 in the match tiebreak.
The Chicago dramaturgy could not have been higher in Chicago on Sunday: After a dramatic double, Team Welt took the lead for the first time and finally lost two matches in the match tiebreak.
Roger Federer, who missed a match point at Alexander Zverev’s side just a few minutes before his singles match, then fought John Isner. Federer just lost the first set in the tiebreak with 5:7.
However, the Swiss did not let himself be encouraged by a strongly playing Isner and fought for another short decision. In the second tiebreak of the match, Federer fended off a match ball with a fabulous backhand winner and equalized with a 7:6 (6). In the match tiebreak, the 37-year-old kept the upper hand, won the match 6:7 (5), 7:6 (6) and 10:7 and took the lead again in the overall standings for his team around Captain Björn Borg.
Federer’s victory also made it clear that Zverev could close the sack for Team Europe with a successful game against Kevin Anderson. This match was also supposed to offer the Chicago spectators top class tennis and the players did not give themselves any nudity on the black floor of the hall.
The first pinprick came from Kevin Anderson, who forced Zverev into the tiebreak and won 7:6 (3). However, the 21-year-old on the other side did not give up and fought back against the strong South African. Zverev equalled with a tight 7:5 in the sets and forced the third match tiebreak in the third game of the day.
Zverev’s aggressive and carefree play should be the key to success. With a strong 10:7 Zverev caused euphoria among his teammates and dropped to the pitch after the match point before luck. Djokovic, Federer, Dimitrov and Co. stormed the square and buried their hero in ecstasy.
Team Europe wins the second edition of the Laver Cup and can celebrate a successful title defence thanks to a great team performance.