The standard of the Laver Cup area comes into deal with day two, with a singles lineup full of gamers from the world’s high ten.
With the competition poised at 2-2 after Friday’s matches and as we speak’s matches price two factors, all six singles gamers in motion on Saturday are ranked within the high 17. It ensures tennis of the very best high quality.
Match 1: Daniil Medvedev v Frances Tiafoe
Tiafoe has been Group World’s talisman within the Laver Cup. Who might overlook his emotional win over Stefanos Tsitsipas within the penultimate match of the 2022 competitors in London, when he saved 4 match factors earlier than sealing Group World’s first-ever Laver Cup title?
The dangerous information for No.16-ranked Tiafoe is that he has by no means overwhelmed world No.5 Medvedev, in 5 earlier matches; in actual fact he has solely taken one set off the Muscovite, and that was pre-pandemic. The excellent news for Tiafoe is that they’ve by no means performed indoors, nor in a crew competitors, so the American can view the slate as clear.
However Medvedev has been a mannequin of consistency this yr; he was runner-up on the Australian Open, a semifinalist at Wimbledon, quarterfinalist on the US Open and has gone far in nearly each event he has performed. That may make him a slight favourite in many individuals’s eyes to offer Europe an early lead, however betting towards Tiafoe within the Laver Cup is at all times perilous.
Match 2: Carlos Alcaraz v Ben Shelton
Maybe essentially the most eagerly awaited match, one which many contemplate could possibly be a serious last earlier than lengthy. Alcaraz already has 4 Grand Slam singles titles, whereas Shelton’s highly effective left-handed recreation has many considering he’s a serious champion of the long run.
The 2 have performed simply as soon as earlier than; that was in Toronto 13 months in the past when Alcaraz gained in two tight units. If Alcaraz can faucet into the shape that noticed him win Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, and declare silver on the Olympics, will probably be exhausting for Shelton to win. However Shelton has a fantastic crew pedigree from his time with the Florida Gators US school crew, and revels within the huge event.
Match 3: Alexander Zverev v Taylor Fritz
That is extremely anticipated match pits the world No.2 towards the No.7, with each gamers within the high 5 within the race to the ATP Finals. Each are in nice kind after terrific runs on the US Open, the place they performed one another within the quarterfinals, Fritz profitable in 4 units having additionally overwhelmed his German rival at Wimbledon within the fourth spherical.
Fritz says his US Open was most satisfying as a result of he felt he by no means performed his finest tennis but nonetheless reached his first main last. After a break, and a victorious doubles partnering Ben Shelton on Friday evening, the 26-year-old could possibly be able to step up a stage. That may make it powerful for Zverev, however he has residence benefit.
This shall be their eleventh assembly in a head-to-head that goes again greater than eight years. They’re stage at 5-5, having performed within the final two majors, and on all surfaces this yr. However they’ve by no means performed indoors, so this shall be a primary and will nicely go all the way down to the wire.
Match 4: Casper Ruud/Stefanos Tsitsipas v Ben SheltonAlejandro Tabilo
Any match involving Ben Shelton has electrical energy, and the 21-year-old American would be the livewire on this fascinating doubles. Shelton kinds a scratch all-leftie pairing with Alejandro Tabilo, the Chilean raised in Canada who performed his half in an excellent match towards Grigor Dimitrov on Friday evening, narrowly dropping on two tiebreaks. This can be the proper pick-me-up for Tabilo, who wants a win after a run of what he describes as “tough matches”. Tabilo gained his first doubles title this season at Santiago with Barrios Vera, and was runner-up at Mallorca with Diego Hildago, having gained the singles title in the identical week on grass.
Ruud and Tsitsipas shouldn’t be underestimated. Tsitsipas gained his first ATP doubles title just below a yr in the past, partnering along with his brother Petros to victory in Antwerp in what he described as “probably the most emotional achievements of my tennis profession” given it was a household triumph. Ruud just isn’t recognized for his doubles outcomes, however his serve is underestimated and his volleys are stable, so whereas the fireworks will most likely come from the Group World aspect, it appears to be like a really open match.