The Laver Cup got off to a dramatic start on Friday—with Team Europe ultimately coming out on top of both singles matches to lead Team World, 2-0.
Team Europe’s Marin Cilic and Team World’s Frances Tiafoe battled it out for the competition’s first points. In the first-ever meeting between the two players, Cilic defeated Tiafoe, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0).
Cilic’s serve was the x-factor in this one, as Tiafoe just couldn’t find a way to figure it out consistently enough. The American did, however, put up an admirable fight in what is likely to be his only singles appearance in Prague.
Cilic, meanwhile, could very well get the call to play again on Day 3, when matches are worth three points. While there are more talented players on the Team Europe roster, Cilic should be well rested compared to the players that will be competing on Saturday. And with Friday’s win over Tiafoe, Cilic also happens to be an impressive 16-3 lifetime against Team World’s players.
In the afternoon’s second match, Team Europe’s Dominic Thiem took on Team World’s John Isner. With Europe having already taken a 1-0 lead in the event, the pressure was clearly on Isner in this one.
The American responded well early, taking the first set 7-6 (15). The 32-point tiebreaker provided some of the session’s most memorable moments, with players from both sides—seated courtside—supporting and exulting at every opportunity.