Prague: The Laver Cup got off to a dramatic start on Friday with Team Europe winning the first two singles to take a 2-0 lead over Team World.
Team Europe's Marin Cilic and Team World's Frances Tiafoe battled it out for the competition's first points. In the first-ever meeting between the two players, Cilic defeated Tiafoe 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-0).
Cilic's serve was the X-factor in this one, as Tiafoe just couldn't find a way to counter it. The American did, however, put up an admirable fight in what is likely to be his only singles appearance in Prague.
Cilic, meanwhile, could very well get the call to play again on Day 3, when matches are worth three points. While there are more talented players on the Team Europe roster, Cilic should be well rested compared to the players who will be competing on Saturday. And with Friday's win over Tiafoe, Cilic also happens to be an impressive 16-3 lifetime against Team World's players.
In the afternoon's second match, Dominic Thiem (Europe) won against Team World's John Isner. With Europe having already taken a 1-0 lead in the event, the pressure was clearly on Isner in this one.
The American responded well early, taking the first set 7-6 (17-15). The 32-point tie-breaker provided some of the session's most memorable moments, with players from both sides - seated courtside - supporting and exulting at every opportunity.
From that point on, however, it was all Thiem. The 24-year-old would win the second set 7-6 (7-2), and then he took the deciding, 10-point tie-breaker 10-7. While Isner was clearly doing well to hold his serve, Thiem had a serious advantage after the first.
At around the midway point in the second set, Isner was noticeably tired. The longer Thiem was able to drag out points, the more likely it was that he would give himself a strong opportunity for a winner.
Thiem did face a bit of a scare when he went down 0-4 in the 10-point tie-breaker, but the Austrian was able to claw his way back in it. It was a gigantic swing in the match, but an even bigger swing in the Laver Cup. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal haven't even played their singles matches.
Despite the increasingly valuable matches to come on Saturday and Sunday, Team World could find themselves in a perilous position if they don't find a way to keep the competition close.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal had dismissed suggestions that the Laver Cup was nothing more than an exhibition and insisted Team Europe were determined to 'play with passion' and win the tournament.
Critics had questioned its worth, particularly as two ATP events were taking place at the same time.
But Nadal, who could team up with Federer in a doubles match on Saturday, said: "It's not an exhibition at all. We are here to try our best, I woke up today at 6am in the morning to practice. I don't practice for an exhibition match. We are here to try our best and try to win."
Federer was also keen to stress the value of the tournament, saying Team Europe have been 'strategizing' for several days and are ready to give 'everything' they have to win.
"The guys all arrived a day early, they were supposed to arrive on Wednesday, but they all came in on Tuesday," said Federer.
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe reignited their famous rivalry, as captains of the rival teams here. McEnroe is the captain of Team World, and at least for now, Borg, captaining Team Europe has the edge over him in this second innings of their rivalry. The Swedish legend has Thomas Enqvist as his deputy, while McEnroe has younger brother, Patrick, acting as vice-captain.
In an interview with Tennis World USA, Patrick had said: "I am deeply honoured to stand by John's side for the first edition of the Laver Cup. This is an exciting time for tennis and I will be there doing whatever I can to ensure Team World has the best chance of winning."
It is also a dream come true for Enqvist, who is working with his with childhood hero Borg. "He (Borg) is the reason why I wanted to play tennis. My whole life he's been my biggest idol," Enqvist said. (agencies)
