Tiafoe stuns Tsitsipas to seal first Laver Cup title for Team World

Team Europe let slip commanding lead after Auger-Aliassime beats Djokovic

Team World run on to the court to congratulate Francis Tiafoe after he beat Team Europe's Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London, on September 25, 2022. EPA

Frances Tiafoe celebrates winning against Stefanos Tsitsipas. PA

Frances Tiafoe celebrates. PA

John McEnroe, captain of Team World, celebrates with the Laver Cup. Getty

USA's Frances Tiafoe (R) and Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime (L) of Team World celebrate on the court. AFP

Team World (L-R) vice captain Patrick McEnroe, captain John McEnroe, USA's Taylor Fritz, Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, USA's Frances Tiafoe, USA's Jack Sock, Australia's Alex De Minaur, Argentina's Diego Schwartzman and USA's Tommy Paul pose with the trophy on the court after victory. AFP

Novak Djokovic embraces Switzerland's Roger Federer at the presentation ceremony. AFP

Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg with Team World's John McEnroe. Reuters

Team World's Felix Auger-Aliassime celebrates after defeating Team Europe's Novak Djokovic. EPA

Frances Tiafoe sealed Team World's first victory over Team Europe in the Laver Cup as he saved four match points on the way to beating Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.

The American, who beat Roger Federer in the Swiss great's last competitive match on Friday, proved a fly in Europe's ointment once again with a scintillating victory in London.

He was outplayed in the first set but roared back to win 1-6, 7-6, 10-8 to give Team World an unassailable 13-8 lead.

Team World, who had lost the four previous editions of the team event, began the day trailing 8-4 but Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime stunned Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6 having earlier partnered Jack Sock to a 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 victory against Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini.

Tsitsipas had the chance to take the match to a deciding singles, but Tiafoe was inspired in front of a raucous O2 Arena crowd who loved his showman antics.

After winning the match point he collapsed to the court and was buried under a pile of his teammates and captain John McEnroe, who then treated the crowd to some dance moves.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," Tiafoe, who reached the US Open semi-final said. "Felix beat Novak today and we all did it together, it wasn't just me."

McEnroe was clearly overjoyed to finally end a long wait to taste victory and get one over old rival Bjorn Borg, who was captain of a Team Europe side who were big favourites.

"No one beats Team World five times in a row," the American said. "Felix stepped up big time.

"Frances is prime time, we saw that at the US Open.

"This is an incredible team event and I'm loving every second of it."