Tennis New Today: Federer in Doubles Action on Opening Laver Cup 2019 Day

Federer's Best Grand Slam Wins
Photo Credit: Samir Talwar

Tonight’s face-off at the Laver Cup has been dubbed the “Match of the Day” in anticipation of some record-breaking tennis. World No.3, Roger Federer will be teaming up with world No.6, Alexander Zverev in their final match of the night to represent Team Europe to play against Jack Sock and Denis Shapovalov in doubles tennis.

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Sock, who has ranked well behind his fellow players in singles tennis, is currently considered to be the best doubles player in men’s tennis which would explain McEnroe’s decision to have him play the first doubles match.

His win-loss record at the Laver Cup over the years has been impeccable with him losing only one match of the six doubles matches he has played.

In 2018, he was ranked No.2 in the world doubles ranking after winning the Wimbledon and the US Open men’s doubles titles.

At the Laver Cup, he has successfully defeated Roger Federer/Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer/Alexander Zverev in 2018, to help Team World get their first lead over Team Europe.

Federer and Zverev will be tried and tested against their match tonight, especially since suffering a defeat to Sock just last year.

The Swiss maestro, who has been in an incredible form this year, has had a poor record against Sock in doubles and will look forward to breaking his duck against him tonight.

The differentiating factor could be Denis Shapovalov, who hasn’t won an ATP title yet but is McEnroe’s pick for choosing a similar player to him.

He had said before the US Open:

“It’s not like he plays the same way, but he sort of, I envision playing a similar way that I would have played had I been playing in this era.”

Shapovalov was the youngest player to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam (since 1998) at merely 18 years of age. Tonight, Shapovalov and Sock will be playing singles matches against Dominic Thiem and Fabio Fognini respectively, before their doubles match which could affect their performance based on the intensity of the first matches.

The stakes are much higher this time for all players as the Laver Cup is an official ATP event this year. Federer will also be expected to perform exceptionally since the Cup is being played in his home country.

The doubles matches are key for Team World to try and break Team Europe’s record as champions for the third time since Team Europe’ five players rank in the top 10 with Fognini ranked at 11 in men’s singles. The matches tonight will set the pace for both teams for the remainder of the event.

In any case, every match will see exciting pairings that haven’t been seen before and are sure to guarantee the best tennis this year has seen.

Get the latest Federer/Zverev v Sock/Shapovaov live streaming options here & predictions for that match here.

About Disha Doshi 77 Articles
Disha is an undergraduate student of Political Science who is as passionate about tennis as world politics. She enjoys writing, occasionally watching cricket and football and loves sharing her opinions.

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