Djokovic-Federer pairing loses in Laver Cup

Team World open their Laver Cup 2019 account with win by Anderson-Sock

With 34 Grand Slams on one side of the net few would have doubted the epic pairing of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to fall short in their doubles match. Kevin-Anderson and Jack Sock though had other plans as they defeated the pair 6-7(5) 6-3 10-6. to earn the first points for Team World in Laver Cup 2019.

Team Europe will head into Day 2 with a 3-1 lead after singles wins for Grigor Dimitrov, Kyle Edmund and David Goffin as they chase down the 13 points that will retain the trophy.

Federer had managed to win on his first appearance alongside Rafael Nadal in a dream doubles pairing last year, but there was to be no repeat in his much-anticipated debut with Djokovic.

The pair’s rustiness in the four-man format was apparent as early as the third game, when Wimbledon and US Open champion Djokovic hit a ball into his illustrious partner’s back, prompting embarrassed laughter all around.