A dynamic doubles encounter saw Team World representatives, US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz and countryman Ben Shelton getting the better of Team Europe pair, featuring German Alexander Zverev and Roland-Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz.
The stellar European duo, who joined forces to play the first doubles match of the 2024 Laver Cup, fell against the Americans, who prevailed 7-6(5), 6-4 in one hour and 35 minutes.
“It makes life pretty easy when you’re playing with a guy who is moving like Taylor is right now; he’s pretty light on his feet,” said Shelton in his on-court interview.
“This was our first time playing together; I think the chemistry was pretty good.”
The seventh edition of the team event got underway at the Uber Arena in Berlin, setting off the three-day competition with Team Europe led by Captain Bjorn Borg and Team World with John McEnroe as its leader; both on the bench for their final appearance at the event.
On one side of the net, the first player designated by Borg to join Team Europe at the Laver Cup seventh edition, Alcaraz, making his debut at the prestigious venue, teaming up with world No. 2 Zverev.
Their adversaries, Team World defending champions Fritz/Shelton, made good use of their booming serve to damage their opponent’s game plan.
The American players were clinical on serve, winning 81 percent of the points on their first service, converting the first break point in the opener to inch ahead 3-1.
A late challenge saw Alcaraz/Zverev breaking serve in the ninth game, stepping up the pressure to force a first-set tiebreak, which Fritz/Shelton eventually took 7-6(5) in 48 minutes.
As the second set wore on, small margins separated the teams, and despite facing break points in the fourth game, the reigning champions held their ground, setting level at 2-2.
From there, the set went on serve until Fritz/Shelton earned a crucial break in the ninth game with a forehand winner to step ahead 5-4.
Team World would seal the set 6-4 and the match with an ace fired by Shelton, setting the overall score tied 2-2, finishing an enthralling first day of action.
Overall, the duo hit 20 winners to 15 unforced errors, winning 81 percent of the points on the first delivery.
Courtside, Captain McEnroe commented: “I thought they did an awesome job, some big hitting out there, it was exciting to watch. It’s a three-day competition. These guys are tough. I’m super excited about it. Tomorrow’s going to be a hell of a day.”
The opening match of the day session featured Argentine Francisco Cerundolo against Norway’s Casper Ruud.
The world No. 31 secured the first point for Team World, displaying a consistent performance to edge Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in 98 minutes.
The 26-year-old served for the match at 5-2 and saw his serve broken, an inspired effort by his rival that Cerundolo halted to nail the win ultimately, becoming the first South American player to win multiple matches for Team World at the venue.
Then, Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas showcased a high-quality display in the black court to defeat the man who took him down early at the US Open, Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, contesting the Laver Cup for the first time.
The three-time Monte-Carlo winner prevailed over Kokkinakis 6-1, 6-4 after one hour and 21 minutes in style.
The world No. 78 failed to find his foot against the aggressive approach by the 11-time ATP titlist, who came out firing with his powerful forehand, forcing the Adelaide-born to fend off break points on his serve.
However, the former world number three would quickly open a 4-0 advantage and never looked back, closing out 6-1.
Kokkinakis, 28, improved through the second set but could not capitalize on his chances against an opponent determined to leave the court with nothing but the win, grabbing the set 6-4 to square off the singles action before the night session.
Making his first appearance at the competition since 2018, the Bulgarian gave Team Europe a 2-1 lead ahead of the doubles matchup, hitting 32 winners against his adversary 17, winning 80 percent of the points on his first serve.
Dimitrov stepped in for Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who withdrew from the competition.
“I am really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week,” Nadal shared through social media last week.
“This is a team competition, and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what is best for them, and at this moment, there are other players who can help the team deliver the win.”
Earlier, Bulgaria’s top racquet was forced to retire from his quarterfinal match against eventual semifinalist Frances Tiafoe at the U.S. Open due to injury.
During the hard-fought match against Tabilo, Dimitrov seemed to strive with what seemed a hamstring injury but stayed the course to take a crucial triumph for his team, probably the most competitive clash on Day 1.