Team Stripes took an early 3-1 lead over Team Stars in the DraftKings All-American Team Cup on day one of the three-day competition.
The DraftKings All-American Cup, played in Atlanta, saw fans being allowed for the first time in a tennis competition in the USA, coming literally days after the Adria Tour tennis fiasco. Multiple players including world number one Novak Djokovic had tested positive for the coronavirus and the tournament had to be cancelled midway through.
Played on the lines of the Laver Cup, the competition has two teams consisting of four players each playing 12 matches in total over the three days. Wins on day one account for a point apiece while those on days two and three award two and three points each respectively.
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In the first match of the day, Team Stars got off to a flying start after captain Frances Tiafoe ran through Sam Querrey in straight sets. However, that was the only success the Stars saw on the day.
Tennys Sandgren levelled things up for the Stripes as he came back from a set down to defeat Tommy Paul in a fighting final set tie-break. He won 3-6, 6-3, 12-10.
It was then the turn of John Isner to boss his opponent Taylor Fritz in the third match of the day. Played in the evening session, Isner wasn’t stretched too much before he came through 6-3, 6-4.
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And then in the final encounter of the day, Steve Johnson was involved in a keen tussle with Reilly Opelka. This also went to the match tie-breaker and one that Johnson edged out 10-5 to help his side a 3-1 lead.
As far as the fans were concerned, the organisers have gone some distance in trying to take steps to ensure the local norms were strictly followed. Fans had to be checked for their temperatures before entering the stadium and there was enough space between groups of people to ensure social distancing.
Interestingly, while players played with their own marked tennis balls, fans weren’t expected to wear masks because of the humid conditions.
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