After a year’s postponement, Laver Cup competition begins Friday afternoon in Boston with Day 1. Team Europe invades Team World soil with six of the world’s top ten players. If form holds, Team Europe should win every match…If form holds.
Laver Cup emotion and the dynamics of playing for a team can quickly turn the tables, even among world-class players. Additionally, the dice-rolling ten-point tie-breakers used in lieu of third sets can help produce stunning upsets.
Finally, it is time to play.
Laver Cup Day 1 Session 1 Matches
2021 Laver Cup Match 1 – Singles
1 Point Match
Team Europe’s Casper Ruud vs Team World’s Reilly Opelka
Head to Head – Ruud leads 2-0
Ruud holds a slight advantage in both ATP level head to head play and overall 2021 results. A slight advantage. Their only 2021 match went three sets, two decided by tiebreakers. Ruud narrowly nipped the big American 7-4 in the decider. This time will be different. Opelka only needs to serve well enough to outlast Ruud in one set to guarantee a third-set tiebreaker. At that point, Opelka’s giant serve should provide a distinct advantage. While both enter the match as Laver Cup rookies, Opelka will be playing in his home country with the support of the crowd. Look for Opelka to give Team World the early 1-0 lead.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
2021 Laver Cup Match 2 – Singles
1 Point Match
Team Europe’s Matteo Berrettini vs. Team World’s Felix Auger-Aliassme
Head to Head Berrettini leads 2-1
In another matchup of Laver Cup rookies, Berrettini of Italy faces Felix Auger-Aliassme of Canada for the third time in 2021. Berrettini outlasted the Canadian on grass at Wimbledon before losing a re-match on hard courts in Cincinnati. Both youngsters are finishing excellent 2021 campaigns which included deep runs at Grand Slam events. In this one-point match, Berrettini’s powerful forehand will prove a little too overwhelming for Auger-Aliassme. Despite hanging close, Auger-Aliassme will not be able to give Team World a point in the match that closes Session 1.
Prediction: Berrettini in two tight sets
Main Photo from Getty.
