Team World Sweeps Laver Cup Day 1; Top 3 Americans — Fritz, Tiafoe, Paul — v Europe In Singles Today

Team World picked right off from last year’s big win sweeping Team Europe 4-0 on opening day of the Laver Cup in Vancouver, Canada.

Team World lost just one set on the day which began with Ben Shelton overpowering French teen Arthur Fils 7-6(4), 6-1.

Francisco Cerudolo picked up Argentina’s first Laver Cup win defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 7-5.

In the marquee match, struggling Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime eased past Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-3 and then the American duo of Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe took care of Fils and Andrey Rublev 6-4, 4-6 [10-6].

“To do it with the crowd with us and supporting us, and for me especially as a Canadian, it feels good,” said Auger-Aliassime. “It feels good to get a first win under my belt here in the competition. It’s nice to get some wins. I haven’t seen those in a while.”

“It’s more than just the win, it’s the way I did it. I’m moving good, I’m feeling the ball well on the court. Even in the warmup up today, I felt like I was hitting well. But you never know, ‘Am I going to be able to showcase that on the court?’ I’m happy that I was able to showcase what I believe I can do, what I train to do, in front of everybody here and on TV. It’s nice to just be able to step up and play well again.”

It’s the first time in the six-year history of the competition that either side has swept the matches on Friday.

Saturday will prove tougher for Team World as Europe brings out Andrey Rublev, Hubert Hurkacz and Casper Ruud to the singles court against the Top 3 Americans — Fritz, Tiafoe and Paul.

Sunday will be in play regardless of what happens today. Points-per-win increase from one to two, but tomorrow it’s three. So World could sweep again today for 12-0 and still lose Sunday.

LAVER CUP SATURDAY SCHEDULE
Rogers Arena Starts At 1:00 Pm
Andrey Rublev vs Taylor Fritz
Casper Ruud vs Tommy Paul

7:00 PM
Hubert Hurkacz vs Frances Tiafoe
Hubert Hurkacz/Gael Monfils vs Felix Auger-Aliassime/Ben Shelton