Session 1 of the 2023 Laver Cup begins Friday afternoon in Vancouver. Team World Captain John McEnroe and Team Europe Captain Bjorn Borg decided to send out Laver Cup rookies in both Session 1 matches. Only one point, toward the necessary 13, can be won in a Day 1 match. Still, these early matches can set a tone for the teams as they progress through the weekend. We predict the matches for Day 1, Session 1.
Laver Cup Session 1 Predictions
Match 2 – Singles (1 Point Match)
Francisco Cerundolo vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head to Head: First Meeting
These Laver Cup rookies enter their first Team World vs Team Europe match with nearly identical rankings. Davidovich Fokina comes to Vancouver ranked No. 25, while Cerendolo is No. 21. Born less than a year apart, the Match 2 competitors both reached 30 wins in a season for the first time in 2023. On paper this should be a very tight match. Expect paper to transfer to the court in the closing match of Session 1.
By the late afternoon, the fans in Vancouver will be rowdy and ready to see Team World take a match. Cerundolo will ride the crowd’s energy in a very tight affair
Prediction: Cerundolo in 2
Match 1 – Singles (1 Point Match)
Ben Shelton vs Arthur Fils
Head to Head: First Meeting
In five previous editions of the Laver Cup, Europe won the opening match every time. This time, two youngsters start the weekend affair meeting for the first time. Shelton brings the huge serve made famous during his magical run at the US Open. Fils arrived in Vancouver at Team Europe’s alternate, now he’s thrust into Match 1 due to an injury to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
At the same time, Fils is more rested and carries much less weight on his shoulders as the newbie for Team Europe. Fils will feel the freedom of low expectations and keep Team Europe’s perfect record in Laver Cup openers alive. Playing the first of what will likely be several Laver Cup Super Tiebreakers of the weekend, look for Fils to survive after splitting sets.
Prediction: Fils in Super Tiebreaker
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
