Stefanos Tsitsipas lost his first two matches against Nick Kyrgios in final-set tie-breaks. But the Greek star would not let it get that far on Saturday afternoon in Boston.
Tsitsipas defeated Kyrgios 6-3, 6-4 to give Team Europe a 5-1 lead in the Laver Cup. The 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion saved all six break points he faced to triumph after one hour and 27 minutes.
Team World got a confidence-boosting doubles win from John Isner and Denis Shapovalov to finish play Friday evening. But Tsitsipas took back the momentum with a solid serving performance in which he won 82 per cent of his first-serve points — including all 13 points behind his first delivery in the opening set.
For much of the match, Kyrgios struggled to find an answer for Tsitsipas’ serve and gain traction in rallies. Although he has plenty of firepower, the 26-year-old was struggling to put himself in position to use it.
The Team World bench, led by captain John McEnroe, tried to keep Kyrgios positive. Diego Schwartzman even provided specific advice, telling his teammate to try to take his backhand up the line more often when on the run to keep Tsitsipas from dictating in the Ad court.
"Try to go [down] the line."@dieschwartzman talks strategy with @NickKyrgios. #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/VMzfEtgbQ5
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 25, 2021
At 1-2, 15/15 in the second set, Tsitsipas had a hiccup when his left shoelace broke. Team Europe alternate Feliciano Lopez gave the Greek his own shoelace before Tsitsipas decided to just change shoes. But the in-game trouble did not come until he served at 4-3.
Tsitsipas saved his first five break points in that game and then another at 5-4 when he served for the match, all behind clutch serving and aggressive play. The World No. 3 then finished off Kyrgios with a forehand passing shot.
Isner will try to get Team World back on track when he plays Alexander Zverev in the next match.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3omvvaz
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