Borg ‘delight’ as Europe lead Laver Cup 3-1

Team Europe has taken a 3-1 lead in the Laver Cup after John Isner and Denis Shapovalov combined to beat Matteo Berrettini and Alexander Zverev 4-6 7-6(2) [10-1] in the doubles match in Boston on Friday that ended at midnight.

Norway’s Casper Ruud had opened proceedings with a 6-3 7-6(4) victory over fellow Laver Cup debutant Reilly Opelka.

“I handled it well, I got an early break which kind of calms the nerves down a little bit,” Ruud said.

Andrey Rublev won four straight points to see off Argentine Diego Schwartzman 4-6 6-3 [11-9] before Italian Matteo Berrettini fought off the challenge of Felix Auger-Aliassime to win 6-7 (7-3) 7-5 10-8 in match that lasted eight minutes short of three hours.

“It was a tough battle against a good friend,” Berrettini said.

“I felt that the match was really hard. Felix was playing really good, not giving me anything. No mistakes, serving really well.”

Rublev was quick to acknowledge Schwartzman after the match.

“It was so close; Diego was leading all the super tiebreak, but in the end I find a way to win,” he said.

“This happens. This is tennis, this is sport. It’s emotions. Someone has to win, someone has to lose.”

Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg was delighted with day one.

“You cannot ask for a better start in Laver Cup…but, like I said, there’s a long way to go,” Borg said.