Who Will Lift the Trophy on Day 3?

Team World enters Day 3 of Laver Cup Berlin 2024 with an 8-4 lead, but with three points on the line for each victory, a three-peat is far from guaranteed, and the coveted title remains within reach of four-time champions Team Europe.

“We’re totally pumped,” said captain John McEnroe, who is serving his seventh and final year in his role. “It would be amazing to go out in style … I’m sure Bjorn feels the same way too,” said McEnroe of his Team Europe counterpart. “We’re going for it,” he said.

Match 1: Carlos Alcaraz/Casper Ruud (Team Europe) vs Ben Shelton/Frances Tiafoe (Team World)
The American duo will look to repeat their heroics from Day 3 of Laver Cup Vancouver 2023, when they battled past Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev in two tiebreak sets. But both Alcaraz and Ruud are seeking revenge on the doubles court and will be eager to snap Shelton’s unbeaten doubles record at Laver Cup and capture three much-needed points for Team Europe.

Match 2: Daniil Medvedev (Team Europe) vs Ben Shelton (Team World)
Fans are in for a treat: an intriguing first-time meeting between 28-year-old Medvedev and 21-year-old Shelton. The former world No. 1 will consider himself a favorite, but is smart enough not to underestimate his big-serving younger rival, who thrives in a team environment.

While the duo will let their rackets do the talking, the 2021 US Open champion said he plans to lean on Team Europe for advice, describing input from his teammates on Saturday as “good coaching”, and Shelton, similarly, will no doubt absorb the energy of his peers and Captain McEnroe – a fellow left-hander.

Match 3: Alexander Zverev (Team Europe) vs Frances Tiafoe (Team World)

Should Team Europe remain in contention after the session’s first two matches, a fascinating singles battle awaits. Fresh off a top 5 win over Medvedev on Saturday, Tiafoe will hunt another scalp in the form of Zverev, the world No. 2, who will be aiming for singles redemption after a tough loss to Taylor Fritz.

Though he’s 1-7 in prior meetings against the German, Tiafoe broke a winless drought against Medvedev and will bring passion and energy as he competes his heart out for his team.

“I’m just having fun again,” said Tiafoe, acknowledging that his lull in results earlier this year made him realize he’d play professional tennis for free. “I love people appreciating what I got to do out there … I have a huge level of gratitude to the game and respect for the game at the moment, it’s all kind of coming together.”

Match 4: Carlos Alcaraz (Team Europe) vs Taylor Fritz (Team World)
If the battle goes down to the wire,  fans can look forward to a blockbuster featuring the Spanish four-time Grand Slam champion versus Team World’s top singles player.

Alcaraz, vying for his first taste of Laver Cup glory, defeated the American in straight sets in their only career meeting in Miami last year, but Fritz has since found a new gear, which drove him all the way to the US Open final earlier this month. “I’m excited for tomorrow,” said Fritz. “Day 3 is really what it’s all about.”