Laver Cup: Novak Djokovic loses to Felix Auger-Aliassime in two sets
Novak Djokovic's brief absence from the radar of world-class tennis ended when he scored consecutive wins at the Laver Cup this year. However, he faced a shock defeat against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets
He defeated Djokovic 6-3, 7-6, and made a lasting impact on the crowd with 13 aces. The Serb broke Auger-Aliassime two times but went ahead to be counter-broken thrice.
The first break in service favoured Djokovic after Auger-Aliassime's loose forehand. Djokovic then took a 2-0 advantage but was bested in the third game as he pulled a double fault.
Djokovic found the chance to break but squandered it and was broken in the next game. The Canadian finally served for the set at 5-3 and took the set in 37 minutes,
Auger-Aliassime showed terrific service in games two and four, leading to a 3-1 gap. He then lost his serve, which allowed Djokovic to equalise. The 22-year-old landed two break point opportunities again fended off by the former world number one.
The set moved into a tiebreak where Djokovic quickly fell behind at 3-1, which progressed into 5-2. He made another backhand error at a crucial moment leaving two match point opportunities for his opponent.
Felix converted the second one to win an essential match for Team World and defeat one of the greatest tennis players in the world.
Laver Cup: Frances Tiafoe Downs Stefanos Tsitsipas to Give Team World
Frances Tiafoe registers his first victory for Team World at the Laver Cup by overcoming four match points to defeat Greek favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6 7-6 10-8.
The 24-year-old American bedazzled the audiences by tapping into the version of himself en route to his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the U.S. Open this month.
His victory over Tsitsipas lifted Team World in the three-day competition against Team Europe that featured Federer - the 20-time major champion who just retired - apart from Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic's initial victories in singles and doubles Saturday pushed Team Europe up 8-4. Sunday matches held three points each, and the format deemed the first team scoring 13 points the winner of the title, named after Rod Laver, the only man to pocket the calendar-year Grand Slam twice.
The first break point came at 6-5, where Tsitsipas netted a forehand followed by the second one that Tiafoe saved with a volley winner. Tsitsipas then lost the last two chances as Tiafoe closed it at 10-9 and 11-10.
The last day was a game changer for Team World, who emerged as the winners at the O2 arena. The victory disrupted Team Europe's consecutive four-time winning streak at the Laver Cup, a brainchild of Roderer Federer and his management team.
The latest edition was a tribute to the Swiss legend's 24-year-long career. The 41-year-old lost the last game of his career to Jack Sock and Tiafoe as Federer played for one last time with Nadal as his partner.
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