Alex de Minaur paid tribute to tennis icon Roger Federer following his straight-sets singles win over Alexander Zverev at the Laver Cup.
De Minaur’s win over Zverev set the tone for a clean sweep of victories for Andre Agassi’s side, as Francisco Cerundolo and Taylor Fritz both won their singles matches against Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz respectively.
Meanwhile, there was still time for De Minaur to claim another win in the doubles alongside Alex Michelsen, with Holger Rune and Casper Ruud dispatched in the final match of the day.
Speaking about the match itself, he said: “I started out of the box pretty quickly and I was playing some great tennis.
“I knew it was only going to get harder. He’s a great competitor, he was going to make my life very difficult, but ultimately, I’m so proud of myself, backing myself in these important moments and getting a big win for Team World.”
Highlights: De Minaur dispatches Zverev in straight sets to draw Team World level
Video credit: TNT Sports
The 26-year-old was also quizzed in more detail about a particular shot which he utilised to his advantage against the German.
With the tricky conditions inside the Chase Center in San Francisco, De Minaur highlighted the importance of implementing a different game plan.
This included the use of a sliced backhand shot which Roger Federer unleashed at numerous times in his career, with the legendary 20-time Grand Slam champion watching on from the stands.
“These courts and conditions are so slow and the ball bounces so low, so ultimately, against Sasha, I’m not going to be able to hit through him, so I’ve got to bring variety,” he explained.
“I’ve got to bring my court craft, not only use my legs to recover balls, but also try to take time away. So, I’m glad it all came together today.
When asked about that particular shot in detail, he added: “I don’t want to say too much, but he wrote the playbook, I just read it.”
World No. 8 De Minaur is Team World’s second-highest ranked singles player after Taylor Fritz, and came into the squad to replace Frances Tiafoe.
When reflecting on the experience as a whole, he added: “It’s been amazing, a week full of opportunities to learn and keep on improving and, hopefully, I’m taking a couple of nuggets of information from these two [Agassi and Pat Rafter], trying to make the court look small thanks to Andre and try to get myself at net as much as possible.
“So, I’m just trying to take the best and do what I can right here.”
Focus now shifts to the final day of the tournament on Sunday, with each match won now representing three points for the victors.
Following the close of play on day two, Team World holds a 9-3 lead ahead of the final four matches of the competition.
Team Europe are the defending champions after Alcaraz overcame Fritz in straight sets last year to secure a dramatic 13-11 win over Team World last year.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch the 2025 Laver Cup
The 2025 Laver Cup in San Francisco takes place from September 19-21, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The action kicks off at 21:00 UK time on TNT Sports 4 on Friday, September 19.
The second match will follow immediately after, before the action resumes for the second set of matches at 5:00 UK time on Saturday morning.
Coverage of the second day will also start at 21:00 UK time on TNT Sports 3, before coverage of Sunday’s final round of matches gets under way at 20:00 UK time on TNT Sports 4.