Thiem stakes Team Europe to a 1-0 lead in Laver Cup

If one of the main goals of the Laver Cup is to generate excitement around the sport, then that feat was definitely accomplished by the opening match of this year’s edition.

World No. 5 Dominic Thiem, representing Team Europe, fought off multiple match points against No. 33 Denis Shapovalov, putting Team World down 1-0 in the three-day competition.

From early on in this match, it appeared that Thiem would have an easier-than-expected time on the court as he claimed an early break to take a 2-1 lead, then quickly consolidated it. The Austrian consistently applied pressure during his return games, while serving like one of Shapovlov’s teammates, Nick Kyrgios or John Isner, when it was his turn to step to the line.

Still, Shapovalov managed to keep the set close, remaining down a break. At 5-4, Thiem delivered three massive serves in a row, and clinched the opener when Shapovalov missed a backhand lob long.

In the second set, Shapovalov had an easy hold then reached deuce on Thiem’s serve for the first time in the second game. Thiem overcame that brief obstacle but on his next service game, Shapovalov finally broke through to go up 3-1. The world No. 5 broke back immediately, and the two stayed on even ground until the 12th game, when Shapovalov broke Thiem at love to level the match at one set apiece after taking the second 7-5.

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That set the stage for the match tiebreak to decide the winner. It was Shapovalov, mixing in some serving and volleying with baseline play, who got the early mini-break. A series of forehand errors, though, ceded the advantage to Thiem. However, the Austrian went through a small unforced-error streak of his own, and after a big serve and backhand winner from Shapovalov, found himself down 9-7, facing multiple match points.

An unforced error from the Canadian, then a gutsy forehand from Thiem erased them to bring the tiebreak level at nine points apiece. Thiem earned his first match point at 10-9, but lost it on an unforced error. He then fought off a third match point down 11-10, then two huge forehands set him up for another opportunity for victory, which he clinched behind a final error from Shapovalov.

Thiem extended his perfect record against the 20-year-old to 3-0 in his return to Laver Cup after a year away. Meanwhile, Team World’s streak of failing to gain a singles point on the first day continues.

Next up is Laver Cup veteran Jack Sock, currently ranked 210 in the world, against Fabio Fognini, making his debut in the event. Fognini is in the midst of a career-best season, having cracked the top 10 and winning his first Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo earlier this year.