Alexander Zverev defeats Kevin Anderson to help Team Europe to Laver Cup glory

Team Europe fight back to defeat Team World 13-8 and retain the Laver Cup

By Raz Mirza

Highlights as Alexander Zverev defeated Kevin Anderson to win the Laver Cup for Team Europe

Alexander Zverev edged out Kevin Anderson in another tense match tie-break to help Team Europe defend their Laver Cup crown against Team World in Chicago on Sunday.

The German world No 5 battled back from a set down to defeat Wimbledon finalist Anderson 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 10-7 and hand Bjorn Borg's side an unassailable 13-8 lead in the tournament.

Zverev's win came with one singles rubber to spare at the United Center and sees Europe hold onto the title they won at the inaugural edition of the tournament in Prague last year.

Majestic Federer fends off Isner

"It was such a close match all around, I mean not only this one but the whole weekend," said Zverev. "A few few points here and there could have changed the whole thing.

Advertisement

"I'm just happy to get the win for the team and we defended the title. I mean, Roger (Federer) is not a good coach, but we will leave that. No, he helped me a lot, he gave me some tactical advice and it worked because I won the second set and then the match tie-break."

Anderson took the first set on a tie-break, but the German had a break in the second to take it. He then went on to win five points in a row to take the deciding tie-break 10-7 to push the men in blue over the magical 13-point mark.

Also See:

Zverev said he was happy to get the all-important win for Team Europe

Sock and Isner win epic doubles

Earlier in the day, Federer had beaten John Isner in an epic, but the Swiss star and Zverev went down to Isner and Jack Sock in a doubles classic.

Team World captain John McEnroe vowed to win the tournament, saying: "I am so proud of these guys, it's awesome to be a captain for Team World. We've got great camaraderie and damn it we're going to win this one next year."

McEnroe vowed to win the Laver Cup for Team World in Geneva next year

Debutant Kyle Edmund won his only game on Friday against Jack Sock, while fellow first-timers Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin won their singles matches on Friday but lost as a doubles pair to Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock on Saturday.

Novak Djokovic, the current world No 3, would have faced Kyrgios in the final singles tie after two straight defeats at the United Center - once with Federer as a pair against Anderson and Sock and again to Anderson on Saturday in the singles.

The beautiful lakeside city of Geneva will host the next Laver Cup from September 20-22, 2019.

We have every major tennis event covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.

Keep up to date with the latest on skysports.com/tennis

We will bring you news, previews, live blogs, reports, reaction and expert analysis.

Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Japan Open & China Open in October while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports.

Tennis updates straight to your phone

How to receive all the latest tennis news straight to your mobile

Outbrain