Europe retained their Laver Cup tennis crown here Sunday as Alexander Zverev defeated Kevin Anderson to complete a 13-8 win over the World team.
Germany’s Zverev came from a set down to complete a 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 10-7 over Anderson as the Europeans successfully defended the title won in Prague last year.
Zverev’s win was the final act of an enthralling day of action at Chicago’s United Center, where the World team had roared back into contention in the day’s first rubber.
You never forget the first time you lift the #LaverCup.@DjokerNole #TeamEurope2018 pic.twitter.com/8jMMIx4N04
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 24, 2018
American duo John Isner and partner Jack Sock fought off two match points to defeat Zverev and world number two Roger Federer in a gripping doubles battle.
Isner and Sock prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 11/9 to give the World team an 8-7 lead with the three singles rubbers remaining.
Europe responded superbly after that early setback however, with the 37-year-old Federer returning to secure a vital three points against Isner in the first singles match of the day.
The Swiss ace came from a set down to defeat the big-serving Isner 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (8/6), 10/7.
The win was testimony to Federer’s remarkable physical conditioning.
Vintage @rogerfederer at such a critical moment 💯
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 24, 2018
You'll want to see @jpmorgan's Shot of the Day featuring #TeamEurope2018's Swiss Maestro.#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/eRw08M6P7l
The 20-time Grand Slam singles champion outlasted Isner less than an hour after he had been beaten in the day’s opening doubles game.
Federer celebrated the win by performing push-ups on court with his teammates to the delight of the crowd.
The next Laver Cup, which is named after Australian legend Rod Laver, will be staged in Geneva in September 2019.