Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer took Team Europe to within two wins of lifting the Laver Cup as they won their singles and their first-ever doubles rubber together here on Saturday.
The world’s highest ranking duo handed Team Europe (skippered by Bjorn Borg) a 9-3 lead over Team World (captained by John McEnroe) after two days.
After Nadal and Federer had won their singles rubbers, all eyes at Prague’s sold-out O2 Arena were then on the two legends who played on the same side of the net for the first time in careers which have stretched the best part of two decades. They started the doubles rubber against Sam Querrey and Jack Sock on a high, earning a break in the first set to win 6-4.
They visibly enjoyed the experience, with Federer laughing off a massive air shot halfway through the set.
However, they were then in a far more serious mood in the second set as both lost their serve, allowing the American pair to level with a 6-1 win. Much to their relief, the world’s top two players, with 35 Grand Slam singles titles between them, regained their composure in time to sweep their rivals 10/5 in the super tie-break which decided the clash.
In Saturday’s opener, Federer swept 16th-ranked Querrey 6-4, 6-2 after earning a break in the first set and two in the second.
World No. 1 Nadal, who won the French and US Open, then overcame a scare to beat 21st-ranked Sock 6-3, 3-6, 11/9.
The results: Team Europe leads Team World 9-3 [Roger Federer bt Sam Querrey 6-4, 6-2; Rafael Nadal bt Jack Sock 6-3, 3-6, [11/9]; Tomas Berdych lost to Nick Kyrgios 6-4, 6-7(4), [6/10]; Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal bt Sam Querrey & Jack Sock 6-4, 1-6, [10/5]].
