Djokovic steps up for Team Europe

CAMERON NORRIE was unable to step into Rafael Nadal’s shoes on the second day of the Laver Cup as Team World drew level with Team Europe come the conclusion of the afternoon session at the O2 but Novak Djokovic wasted little time in dismantling US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe to put Team Europe ahead 6-4 once again.

British No.1 Norrie was tasked with replacing Nadal, who had played in a emotional doubles clash with Roger Federer on Friday night but always appeared unlikely to feature in the singles at the Ryder Cupstyle team competition.

American Taylor Fritz was Norrie’s opponent for the second match of the session in what was an 11th meeting between the pair, the most recent being in the Davis Cup this month. Norrie won on that occasion but went down 6-1, 4-6, 10-8, in London to the 24-year-old, who helped keep Team World firmly in title contention after team-mate Felix Auger-Aliassime lost at the start of the day to Matteo Berrettini.

World No.12 Fritz said on court: “There is a really big difference between 6-2 and 4-4. Both of us were feeling the nerves out there but I love being in these positions and I was just glad I was able to do it for the team.”

In the day’s first match, Berrettini continued his dominance over Auger-Aliassime with a fourth win from their five meetings but only after another marathon contest between the duo.

The Italian had needed almost three hours to beat the young pretender at the Laver Cup in Boston last year and had to dig deep again to win 7-6 (13-11), 4-6, 10-7, with his best tennis saved until the tie-breaker where a booming forehand winner, 132mph ace and sumptuous drop shot saw him home.

In the evening session, Djokovic needed only 73 minutes to overcome Tiafoe 6-1, 6-3 in his first match since his Wimbledon triumph in July.

The 21-time Grand-Slam champion was set for doubles action alongside Berrettini shortly after his success to round off the second day of the competition.