LONDON: Frances Tiafoe sealed team worldfirst victory over European Team in the Cup of the tank as he saved four match points to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.
The American, who beat Roger Federer in the Swiss great’s final competitive match on Friday, once again proved himself a fly in the European ointment with a scintillating victory.
He was dominated in the first set but roared to win 1-6, 7-6 (11), 10-8 to give Team World an unassailable 13-8 lead.
Team World, which had lost the previous four editions of the team event, started the day trailing 8-4, but Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime upset Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6(3) after having previously partnered Jack Sock with a 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 win over Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini.
Tsitsipas had the chance to take the game to a decisive single, but Tiafoe was inspired in front of a boisterous O2 Arena crowd who loved his showman antics.
After winning match point, he collapsed on the pitch and was buried under a pile of his teammates and captain John McEnroe who then treated the crowd to some dance moves.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” said Tiafoe, who reached the US Open semifinal. “John McEnroe dropped a lot of F-bombs saying we can’t lose anymore. Felix beat Novak today and we all did it together, it wasn’t just me.”
McEnroe was clearly thrilled to finally end a long wait to taste victory and get one over former rival Bjorn Borg who captained a European team side who were big favourites.
“Nobody beats Team World five times in a row,” said the American. “Felix has improved a lot.
“Frances is prime time, we saw that at the US Open.
“It’s an amazing team event and I’m enjoying every second of it.”
The American, who beat Roger Federer in the Swiss great’s final competitive match on Friday, once again proved himself a fly in the European ointment with a scintillating victory.
He was dominated in the first set but roared to win 1-6, 7-6 (11), 10-8 to give Team World an unassailable 13-8 lead.
Team World, which had lost the previous four editions of the team event, started the day trailing 8-4, but Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime upset Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6(3) after having previously partnered Jack Sock with a 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 win over Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini.
Tsitsipas had the chance to take the game to a decisive single, but Tiafoe was inspired in front of a boisterous O2 Arena crowd who loved his showman antics.
After winning match point, he collapsed on the pitch and was buried under a pile of his teammates and captain John McEnroe who then treated the crowd to some dance moves.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” said Tiafoe, who reached the US Open semifinal. “John McEnroe dropped a lot of F-bombs saying we can’t lose anymore. Felix beat Novak today and we all did it together, it wasn’t just me.”
McEnroe was clearly thrilled to finally end a long wait to taste victory and get one over former rival Bjorn Borg who captained a European team side who were big favourites.
“Nobody beats Team World five times in a row,” said the American. “Felix has improved a lot.
“Frances is prime time, we saw that at the US Open.
“It’s an amazing team event and I’m enjoying every second of it.”