By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, September 24, 2017
Roger Federer saved a match point, edging Nick Kyrgios to seal Team Europe's victory and spirited champagne celebration at the Laver Cup.
Photo credit: Laver Cup Facebook
Old rivals reignited and new ones were created at the inaugural Laver Cup.
And iconic rivals elevated and celebrated with a flying hug.
More: Qualifier Gojowczyk Takes Metz Title
Roger Federer fended off a match point surviving Nick Kyrgios, 4-6, 7-6 (6), 11-9, sealing Team Europe’s spirited 15-9 victory over Team World at the O2 Arena in Prague.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion erupted with the enthusiasm of a man who had just won a Masters championship. Nadal turned the charcoal-colored court into a launching pad taking a running leap into Federer’s arms.
Champions in full flight provided a fitting climax to a three-day thrill ride.
From the start, Laver Cup had star power, legends—Rod Laver and team captains Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe on the sidelines—technical innovation including camera angles from the players’ perspectives and in-match interviews, and enthusiastic capacity crowds.
Today, it had the one element missing: exhilarating drama.
Federer used his guile and skill extending points to lure Kyrgios, who played explosive tennis for much of the match, into untimely forehand miscues in the decisive tie break.
Celebration was a major stress-relief for Nadal, who was saved from the prospect of partnering Federer in a decisive doubles match if Kyrgios had leveled the tie.
“I was ready—I didn’t want to play—but I was ready,” Nadal joked afterward. “But thanks to Roger and the rest of the team we avoided that tough situation.”
Fusing elements of golf’s Ryder Cup, tennis’ Davis Cup and soccer’s World Cup with the spirit of a rugby match and the pyrotechnics of a rock concert the Laver Cup’s staggered scoring system—each match win was worth one point on Friday, two points on Saturday, and three points on Sunday—created opportunity and escalating suspense.
Trailing 9-3 as the day began, Team World needed an immediate win and got one as Jack Sock and John Isner topped Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6).
World No. 4 Alexander Zverev extended Europe’s lead to 12-6 sweeping Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey, 6-4, 6-4.
Winless in six prior meetings with Rafael Nadal, a fired-up Isner let it fly.
Isner served 72 percent, ripped 23 aces and pelted 41 winners—20 more than the 16-time Grand Slam champion—toppling Nadal, 7-5, 7-6 (1) to draw Team World to within three points of forcing a decisive doubles.
Captain McEnroe saved Kyrgios for the final match and the Aussie No. 1 was inspired and aggressive building a one-set lead.
Federer weathered the Kyrgios storm frequently using the slice backhand to extend baseline exchanges.
The passion both men poured into points popped as Federer bellowed “Come on!” taking a 4-1 lead in the second-set tie break. Federer drilled an inside-out forehand to level the match.
Kyrgios built a few leads in the 10-point tie break played in lieu of a complete set, but a pair of double faults and a skittish forehand cost him. Holding match point at 9-8, Kyrgios missed a forehand long.
On Federer’s first match point, Kyrgios pasted a forehand into net as the Team Europe bench erupted.
A red-eyed Kyrgios was consoled by a swarm of red-clad teammates.
Three days of dynamic tennis built to a dramatic crescendo.
It all added up to Team Europe, arms locked alongside the legendary Rod Laver and team captain Bjorn Borg, celebrating a Laver Cup that was entertaining, exciting and engaging throughout.
"Time will tell how big the Laver Cup will become," Federer said. "The first one’s officially over and I can’t wait to get my hands on the trophy.
"Rod Laver and his generation of players and so many before him and after him have paved the way for us to play in front of such a beautiful crowd and showed us what sportsmanship was all about."
The Laver Cup also reconnected rivals with the sheer joy of team sport.
It was a celebration of the sport and an intoxicating three-day weekend ended with Federer, Nadal and Zverev guzzling champagne from the Cup and passing it around to teammates.
Next year, they’ll take the party to Chicago.