The 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin, Germany is tied at 1-1 heading into Saturday competitors between Staff Europe and Staff World. It can warmth up in an enormous means on Day 2, when every match is value two factors.
Listed here are my picks for 2 of Saturday’s finest matchups.
Daniil Medvedev (EUR) vs. Frances Tiafoe (WOR)Medvedev and Tiafoe shall be squaring off for the seventh time of their careers once they kick off the Day 2 schedule. The pinnacle-to-head sequence on the primary tour stands at 5-0 in Medvedev’s favor, though Tiafoe not less than managed to select up a win 9 years in the past in Good qualifying. It has been all Medvedev since; actually, the Russian is 12-1 in whole units throughout his five-match successful streak in opposition to Tiafoe.
In addition to the American is taking part in proper now, his head-to-head skid might proceed. You would not blame Tiafoe if his motivation degree dips a bit following a semifinal run on the U.S. Open, which is by far his favourite event. As for Medvedev, he has a little bit of unfinished enterprise heading into the autumn swing. The Russian definitely hasn’t been horrible in 2024, however on the similar time he hasn’t captured a single title this season. Medvedev usually performs effectively within the fall, and it’ll possible present this weekend.
Decide: Medvedev in 3
Carlos Alcaraz (EUR) vs. Ben Shelton (WOR)Alcaraz has been recognized to wear down down the stretch of seasons, albeit nonetheless within the comparatively early levels of his profession. And who can fault him when he accrues so many victories all through the spring and summer time? This 12 months could also be no completely different, as Alcaraz triumphed at each the French Open and Wimbledon earlier than successful the silver medal on the Paris Olympics. Wanting spent each mentally and bodily, the third-ranked Spaniard misplaced to Botic van de Zandschulp within the U.S. Open second spherical.
What does Alcaraz left within the tank? A Laver Cup doubles loss on opening night time doesn’t inform us a lot, however we are going to discover out much more when he faces Shelton in singles on Saturday. Shelton is coming down the stretch of an honest season, throughout which he’s 32-20 and twentieth within the race to Turin. The previous NCAA singles champion on the College of Florida thrives in staff atmospheres and his sport works effectively on indoor exhausting courts. With Alcaraz susceptible in the intervening time, this can be a good alternative for Shelton to drag off what could be a reasonably large upset on paper.
Decide: Shelton in 2
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You may comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
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