name='verify_a78772d791e94fc7f9666f0dd14249cc'/> Laver Cup Flashback: Roger Federer edges Nick Kyrgios, wins title

Laver Cup Flashback: Roger Federer edges Nick Kyrgios, wins title

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Roger Federer established the Laver Cup in 2017, celebrating tennis and the legendary Rod Laver. The Swiss delivered the first title for Team Europe on September 23 in Prague, prevailing over Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 7-6, 11-9 after over two hours of incredible battle, fending off a match point! Alexander Zverev toppled Sam Querrey at the beginning of Sunday's program, sending Team Europe 12-6 in front. Rafael Nadal failed to seal the deal for the blue squad, losing to John Isner and keeping their rivals in contention. Kyrgios gave his best to deliver the 12th point for Team World and force the deciding doubles clash, squandering a match point and allowing Federer to start a massive celebration with his teammates. Roger and Nick were neck and neck from start to finish. The Aussie fended off seven out of eight break points, leading 9-8 in the match tie break before the Swiss claimed three straight points to emerge at the top. Federer played against two break chances, losing serve on both and working hard to remain on the positive side.

Roger Federer fended off a match point against Nick Kyrgios in Prague 2017.

Nick moved in front at 2-2 in the opening set, firing a backhand winner and stealing Roger's serve. Kyrgios had to dig deep behind the initial shot in games eight and ten, denying five break points and taking the opener 6-4 in 47 minutes with a forehand down the line winner. With no room for errors, Federer finally broke his rival in the second set's fourth game, seizing his eighth opportunity since the start of the duel and opening a 3-1 gap. However, his lead was short-lived, as Nick broke back a few minutes later despite being 40-15 down. Kyrgios stayed composed and pulled the break back after Federer's loose backhand.

Both players served well in the rest of the set, introducing a tie break. The Swiss landed an ace at 5-3, earning three set points. Kyrgios climbed back to 6-6, moving two points away from the win. However, Federer scored a crucial mini-break in the 14th point with a forehand crosscourt winner, clinching the breaker 8-6 and introducing the deciding match tie break. They exchanged five mini-breaks in the first eight points, and the Aussie built a 6-3 advantage, moving closer to the finish line. Federer climbed back from 5-8, taking the 16th point after Kyrgios' loose forehand and locking the result at 8-8. Nick claimed the next one for a match point, with the drama reaching its pinnacle. The Aussie placed a forehand long, wasting his opportunity and falling 10-9 behind after the Swiss' service winner. Nick netted a forehand on Roger's first match point, as Federer started a massive celebration with his teammates. 



from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/bQCp5Eo
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