Auger-Aliassime helps lift World over Europe

LONDON Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime upset Novak Djokovic after winning in doubles, helping the World team to victory over Europe in Laver Cup tennis on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Canadian beat the 21-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic 6-3, 7-6 (3) with 13 aces and a 39-11advantage in winners. In doubles, Auger-Aliassime and American Jack Sock rallied to beat Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini 2-6, 6-3, 10-8. “It was a bit weird in the first game (against Djokovic). But then after, I felt very good, very loose,” said Auger-Aliassime, whose best run at a major came at last year’s U.S. Open, when he reached the semifinals. “Getting that (doubles) win got me really confident going into the singles.”

Victories were worth three points apiece Sunday, with the first team to 13 winning.

Frances Tiafoe later staving off four match points to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 7-6 (11), 10-8 and clinched the victory for the World team for the first time, 13-8.

Tiafoe strutted into the postmatch news conference and declared: “Champs are here!”

Then the 24-year-old from Maryland joined teammates at the table where the silver trophy was resting, put down a bottle of water, pulled a Budweiser out of his red jacket and smiled a wide smile.

“I don’t like losing,” said tennis great Roger Federer, . “It’s not fun. It just leaves not the best taste.”

Asked if he might apologize to Federer for beating him in doubles, Tiafoe said: “I’m not going to apologize to him. He’s got a lot to apologize for after the last 24 years — after beating everybody on the tour.”