Barely-there Laver Cup quietly ends with World repeat win

An all-but-anonymous edition of the Laver Cup wrapped up with a second straight win for a World side lacking in household names, with Europe going  down to a 13-2 defeat.

The weekend edition in Vancouver was short on star power with the glory days of participations by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic just a memory.

While local crowds turned out thanks in part to the appearances of Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, the mad fan scenes of the past were missing.

American young guns Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe ended the agony for captain Bjorn Borg’s underpowered Europe with a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) defeat of Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev to render the remainder of the closing day matches non-starters..

The success meant a repeat title for World headed by captain John McEnroe after a breakthrough 2022 success in London at the edition where Swiss icon Federer ended his career in tears at the O2 arena.

“It’s been crazy for me and I’ve enjoyed being in a team environment,” surprise US Open semi-finalist Shelton said. 

“I’ve enjoyed playing for Johnny Mac. Team World really brought the energy this week. 

“It’s easy for me to play when I’m amped up and hyped and the bench has done a great job of hyping me up all week. 

“I hope I’ve done a good job of hyping them up too.”

Tennis jokester Tiafoe added: “Being a part of it last year and clinching it last year was so emotional the first time. Now, being able to do it again in doubles with Ben was a lot of fun.”

McEnroe was pleased that his side got the job done efficiently after losing the first round editions of the tournament which began in 2017.

“It felt unbelievable to kick their ass baby!” the former American bad boy, 64, said.

“They kicked ours many times. It was a battle to the end when we won last year and we came in, great team spirit, good combination of youth and experience. 

“From the word go and we stepped up. I thought all the guys played great.”

Europe’s Borg said he is already looking forward to the 2024 edition in Berlin.

“We will definitely bring back the Cup,it’s going to stay in Europe next year.

“It’s going to be completely different, it’s our home court, we look forward to that.”

The former Swedish idol said that his side’s lop-sided  losing scoreline was something of a shock.

“We gave 100 per cent but Team World played unbelievable tennis. 

“We are all very disappointed, because we never expect to lose (by) this much.”