Croatian tennis player Marin Cilic managed to overcome rising Frances Tiafoe in the Laver Cup opener. The Croatian beat the world No. 72 in tight two sets 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-0). The two players were facing each other for the first time this Friday. Tiafoe had his chances, but he just couldn't surprise the experienced Cilic.
The rule says Cilic and Tiafoe will be eligible to play only one more singles match during the Laver Cup. The tournament is set to end on Sunday. The annual edition of the event, named after the great Rod Laver, is being played on the indoor hard of Prague at the O2 Arena.
Cilic's win over Tiafoe handed Team Europe a 1-0 lead over Team World in Prague. Next up on the schedule is the match between Austria's Dominic Thiem and John Isner of the USA. Thiem will be looking to give Team Europe its second point, while Isner hopes to make it all tied at 1-1.
Cilic dominates in two tie-breaks
After a couple of routine holds of serves, Tiafoe managed to clinch a break point in the seventh game of the first set. Cilic successfully saved a break point, before he blew his first break point try in the following game. As no more break point chances were seen, the opener had to be resolved in a tie-break. Cilic, who opened up an early 2-0 lead, routinely went on to seal the first set.
Cilic was then threatening to break Tiafoe early on in the second set. Tiafoe, who saved two consecutive break points in the third game, clinched his first break of the match in the fourth game. However, the Croatian found his way back from a 4-1 deficit, to eventually force a tie-break. The 19-year-old American stood no chance in the tie-break, as Cilic didn't lose a single point on his way to booking straight sets win at the Laver Cup.
Cilic's serve clicks
Cilic fired 17 aces and won 84 percent of his first serve points against Tiafoe. The Croatian didn't shine when given a break point chance, converting just 1-of-4 of his break point chances. He saved 1-of-2 of the American's break opportunities at the Laver Cup.
Tiafoe didn't have the greatest day on his serve on Friday.
The 19-year-old got in just 50 percent of his first serves against Cilic. However, he managed to win 73 percent of his first serve points. Tiafoe hit seven aces and saved 3-of-4 of Cilic's break point chances in an hour and 49 minutes of play. In the end, it just wasn't enough, as Tiafoe paid the price for being unable to close out the second set and force a decider.
