(AP) – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal won their singles matches Saturday to help Team Europe retain its lead over Team World on Day 2 of the Laver Cup.
Using some courtside coaching from Rafa, Federer rallied late and raised his game in the decisive super-tiebreaker to beat Nick Kyrgios 6-7 (5), 7-5, 10-7 in the afternoon session.
Rafa opened the evening session by beating Milos Raonic 6-3, 7-6 (1), and was quickly back on court partnering Stefanos Tsitsipas in the day’s doubles rubber. Kyrgios and Jack Sock won that match 6-4, 3-6, 10-6, scoring two key points for the world team which trails Europe 7-5 ahead of the final four matches Sunday.
John Isner began Saturday’s play with a win for Team World, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 10-1 over Alexander Zverev.
The third edition of the annual Laver Cup is decided Sunday by a doubles match, then three more singles – each worth three points with 13 needed for overall victory.
DAY 3, Sunday: LAVER CUP ARENA: Matches Start At 12:00 noon
Roger FEDERER & Rafael NADAL vs John ISNER & Jack SOCK
followed by
Rafael NADAL vs Nick KYRGIOS
followed by
Roger FEDERER vs John ISNER
followed by
Alexander ZVEREV vs Milos RAONIC
Here are our favourite photos from Day 2 in Geneva.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe plays a backhand in his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe plays a backhand during Day 2 of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Roger Federer of Team Europe speaks to teammate Rafael Nadal as he sits down in his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer of Team Europe reacts during Day 2 of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Roger Federer of Team Europe and teammates speak to teammate Rafael Nadal as he sits down in his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer of Team Europe reacts during Day 2 of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe celebrates match point in his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe and Milos Raonic of Team World poses for photo during Day 2 of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe plays a forehand in his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe reacts in his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe reacts in his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Jack Sock, playing partner of Nick Kyrgios of Team World and Rafael Nadal, plying partner of Stefanos Tsitsipas of Team Europe pose for a photo prior to their doubles match during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe reacts after a point during Day 2 of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe celebrates in his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe celebrates victory after his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe celebrates victory after his singles match against Milos Raonic of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Team Europe reacts during Day 2 of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Team Europe and playing partner Rafael Nadal celebrate in their doubles match against Jack Sock and Nick Kyrgios of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Team Europe and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe take a breather and some water during Day 2 of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe and playing partner Stefanos Tsitsipas look on in their doubles match against Jack Sock and Nick Kyrgios of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Roger Federer of Team Europe celebrates with teammates Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev after his singles match victory against Nick Kyrgios of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Team Europe looks on during the singles match between John Isner of Team World and Alexander Zverev of Team Europe during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Roger Federer of Team Europe (L) celebrates with teammates Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Fabio Fognini after his singles match victory against Nick Kyrgios of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Alexander Zverev of Team Europe and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe looks on during Day 2 of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
Source: AP
It’s so funny to see Rafa as a team member. He is so nervous watching. He puts the same energy into supporting as in playing. So, Rafa, now you know what I’ve been through for 17 years rooting for you!!!!! Makes us fans crazy!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Good luck tomorrow Rafa, you are doing great for sure.
Watching Rafa the last couple of days his personality really showed…..he is definitely a leader, he takes control of everything, he will be fabulous running a tennis camp. The more I see him the more I love him, what a great guy.
This is utter insanity !
Two back to back matches in back to back days and Rafa is still there to do it !
The absurdity of it all goes beyond anything imaginable.
ONLY Rafa is scheduled this way, he is the only one to play four matches and he still accepts it ………
Rafa will be exhausted and torn out for an ABSOLUTE ZERO of a tournament !
Why on earth is this happening ?
What have they done to his mind ?
Nikos… who are you really? You can’t possibly mean what you write…. You can’t possibly be who you say you are…
Rafa LOVES this tournament and everything about it… And for Roger, Rafa, Sascha, Stefanos, Dominik, Jack, Nick, John. and all the rest of the players, this is not a nothing tournament…. This is an official ATP tournament, one without a ranking but… one the players get to be competitive on the court while joining rivals on the bench as a team…. The camaraderie is fantastic and it introduces tennis to fans in a different way… It’s a great venue….
Rafa is not the only one playing two matches today… Roger is also playing 2 matches… The only difference
is …is that Roger has a break in between and that’s Rogers preference. Rafa is scheduled back to back because thats how he wants it..
For Rafa…playing 2 matches is just going 4 sets… maybe a tie breaker thrown in… Rafa plays 5 setters with no problem… He’s in great shape and for him, if he’s going to play 2 matches he wants them back to back…. He doesn’t want time in between for his body to cramp or for down time… He wants to keep going… What’s so difficult to understand…. Bjorn makes no decision without Rafa and Roger and so scheduling Rafa this way isn’t insane …It’s exactly the way Rafa wants it and he knows what’s best for himself.
Lastly…everyone is so concerned about Rafa resting…. Resting for what? This is Rafa’s last opportunity to have some fun on the court with his fellow players for quite awhile … In 4 weeks he getting married. … He’s not doing the Asian swing… His next tournament is in London November 10th…. He has plenty of time to rest after this tournament is over….
I hope he has a blast today…. I know he wants to win, that’s for sure… but the laughter and the coaching and the play is all part of what Laver is about and that’s why he loves it….and I’m so glad he’s there…
Good luck today Raf….
First of all, I am what I am.
I am closely following Rafa since 2005 without interruption !
He is the sole reason I have come back to tennis since my early childhood !
I have experienced the multiple injuries inflicted to his body with internal pain and full discomfort for years !
I just do NOT want him to jeopardise his body health for meaningless exhibition tournaments.
I will insist on saying that for Laver Cup, because I believe it is just a publicity stunt inspired by Roger Federer.
I realize that Rafa is closely related to him, but this year after a very grueling US Open he badly needs rest
for heaven’s sake !
Don’t forget he was injured last end of year and after Indian Wells as well.
He is not a young man anymore and his body could crack at any time without any notice.
His least favourite surface is hard courts and he is extremely vulnerable to get injured under these circumstances.
I can not believe that 7 days rest after US Open is enough rest for his tortured body.
In case his body goes over the limits, we might as well forget both this year and start of next year….
For what ?
Reading from Laver Cup twitter:
“Following consultation with the Laver Cup competition doctor RafaelNadal has withdrawn from his matches today due to a wrist injury.”
That proves my point without any doubt !
Nikos, I have to apologize for the veiled attempt to question your being a Rafa fan. Join the club. Some fans will do that if they disagree with an opinion. Ugly.
I can understand your angst about Rafa playing so soon after the USO. I, too, have followed Rafa through his career and innumerable injuries. All we can do is hope it’s not serious and that he doesn’t return until completely healed.
RAFA ROCKS
Best of luck tomorrow Fed and Rafa, love u both💖💖💖💖💖👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Rafa for sure .good luck tomorrow vamosssssssss champ you can do it 👍💪😘🎾❤️