Sock and Auger-Aliassime bring Team World to within one point of Europe at Laver Cup

The American/Canadian combination recovered well from the loss of the first set as they pulled Team World to within a point

AI/Reuters/Panoramic

Simon Cambers

September 25, 2022

Jack Sock and Felix Auger-Aliassime gave Team World real hope at the Laver Cup on Sunday as they edged out Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 to reduce their deficit to 8-7 after the first match of the final day in London.

The pair came from 4-2 down in the deciding tiebreak and clinched victory when Sock feathered a drop volley for a winner after Murray and Berrettini had dominated the first set.

With three points for each win on the final day, the match is now very much alive, with three matches to go.

Team World produce superb comeback

With Berrettini maintaining his form of day two when he won singles and doubles matches, Europe ripped through the first set thanks to two breaks.

But Team World gave themselves hope when Sock and Auger-Aliassime broke the Berrettini serve in the second game of the second set and the maintained the advantage to force a deciding match tiebreak.

Murray and Berrettini grabbed an early mini break to lead 4-2 but Team World won four straight points to go up 6-4. Murray threaded a forehand down the middle to get back on serve only to double fault to go down 7-5 at the change of ends.

But there was still time for another momentum swing as Murray picked off a volley to level at 7-7. Sock hit an unreturnable serve to go up 8-7 and then they grabbed the vital mini break as Murray netted a volley at 8-8. Sock then finished it off with a lovely volley.

Djokovic next on, against Auger-Aliassime

Novak Djokovic, who won singles and doubles matches on Saturday to give his team an 8-4 lead overnight, plays Auger-Alissime in the first singles match of the day.

Stefanos Tsitsipas will follow for Europe against American Frances Tiafoe and then the competition will be finished off by a singles between world No 2 Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.

EUROPE 8 -7 TEAM WORLD (AFTER 8 MATCHES)

Day 3:
Sock & Auger-Aliassime (W) – Berrettini & Murray (E) 2-6, 6-3, 10-8

Day 2:
Djokovic/Berrettini (E) – Sock/De Minaur (W) 7-5, 6-2
Djokovic (E) – Tiafoe (W) 6-1, 6-3
Tiafoe (W) – Norrie (E) 6-1, 4-6, 10-8
Berrettini (E) – Auger-Aliassime (W) 7-6 (11), 4-6, 10-7

Day 1:
Ruud (E) – Sock (W) : 6-4, 5-7, [10-7]
Tsitsipas (E) – Schwartzman (W) : 6-2, 6-1
De Minaur (W) – Murray (E) : 5-7, 6-3, [10-7]
Tiafoe/Sock (W) – Nadal/Federer (E) : 4-6, 7-5, [11-9]