Laver Cup
Tiafoe upsets Medvedev: ‘I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly’
Alcaraz defeats Shelton to level Laver Cup at 4-4
September 21, 2024
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup
Frances Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev share a fun moment during their Laver Cup match on Saturday in Berlin.
By ATP Staff
Frances Tiafoe caught such fire on Saturday in Berlin that he felt like he was Roger Federer.
That form helped the Team World player rally past Team Europe’s Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 6-4, 10-5 to give his side a 4-2 lead in Berlin. Carlos Alcaraz later levelled for Team Europe with a victory against Ben Shelton.
“Honestly I just started having fun. Laughing with my team, laughing with my team over there and here. Just having a bit of fun and started really finding my rhythm,” Tiafoe said. “The courts are obviously much slower than I’m used to playing on, so it’s tough playing Daniil on this court. But after the second set, midway into the second and in the tie-break, I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly.”
Team World back on top 🔴@FTiafoe with an impressive 3-6 6-4 [10-5] victory over Medvedev.@LaverCup | #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/ZeRI2ycna8
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 21, 2024
Federer, who was in the crowd, gave on-court reporter Mark Petchey a double thumb’s up when asked about Tiafoe’s comment. The American is playing some of the best tennis of his career, having just reached the US Open semi-finals for the first time after making the final in Cincinnati.
Tiafoe entered the match facing a 0-5 Lexus ATP Head2Head deficit against Medvedev, but did not let that intimidate him. He played freely in the critical moments and had a blast on court even when losing points. After one Medvedev shot drew Tiafoe to his side of the court, the American did his signature sprinkling celebration to compliment his opponent.
“I just have a lot more confidence in myself. I’m having a lot of fun playing the game at the moment,” Tiafoe said. “I’m just trying to play the right way and compete as hard as I can, let the chips fall where they may. I respect everyone, but I’m just not fearing anyone at the moment. I’m just going out there, taking it to guys and seeing what happens.”
Alcaraz produced a nearly flawless performance to defeat Shelton 6-4, 6-4, squaring the Laver Cup at 4-4.
“I’m really happy for being part of Team Europe in Laver Cup for the first time,” Alcaraz said. “I’m trying to be as [good] a partner as I can, as [good] a player as I can to help my team. I played against Ben, [who] is a really powerful player, a really tough one. I’m pretty happy because I played a really solid match since the beginning until [the end] of the match.”
The Spaniard fell in his Laver Cup debut Friday evening in doubles alongside Alexander Zverev, but bounced back against the big-serving American. In a high-quality clash, Shelton did little wrong. Alcaraz was just slightly better, saving all five break points he faced according to Infosys ATP Stats.
“In the other tournaments I’m obviously playing for myself. When you are playing as a team, you’re playing for them as well, so you feel a little bit more the pressure because you feel like you have to win for them,” Alcaraz said. “I feel a little bit more the pressure as I said, but at the same I feel more energy having them supporting me behind in the tough moments during the match.”
