Zverev fightback helps Borg’s side defend Laver Cup

TEAM Europe retained the Laver Cup as Alexander Zverev fought back to beat Kevin Anderson to push Bjorn Borg’s side over the 13-point line.

After securing the inaugural title in Prague last year, the Europeans took two straight singles matches in Chicago to seal the title.

Going into the final day at 7-5 in favour of Europe, Team World retook the lead through John Isner and Jack Sock who saved two match points and saw off Roger Federer and Zverev 4-6 7-6 (7/2) 11-9.

But Federer put Europe on the brink of victory with a three-set win over Isner 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (8/6) 10-7 and Zverev did the honours against Anderson. The world number nine took the first set on a tiebreak 7/3, but the German had a break in the second to take it 7-5. He then went on to win five points in a row to take the final set 10-7 as Europe took an unassailable lead.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray is due to play in his penultimate tournament of 2018 at the Shenzhen Open today. The 31-year-old former world number one, now ranked 311 after a lengthy injury, is scheduled to face Zhizhen Zhang of China, world number 340. The winner will play top seed David Goffin of Belgium. Murray plans to end his season early to focus on getting fully fit for next year.

Elsewhere in Shenzhen Cameron Norrie yesterday progressed n straight sets ahead of wildcard Di Wu of China. British number two Norrie won 6-2 6-2. The 23-yearold is next due to face Croatia’s world number 18 Borna Coric. British number one Johanna Konta was beaten in straight sets in the first round of the Wuhan Open. Konta lost 7-5 6-4 to Australia’s Ashley Barty, the 16th seed.