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The three-day tournament, viewed as tennis'
answer to golf's Ryder Cup, offering fans a rare opportunity to
see the sport's top players team up, is without the likes of the
retired Roger Federer, the injured Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic
this year.
But fans got a glimpse of the future at the Rogers Arena, as
U.S. Open semi-finalist Shelton beat fellow debutant Arthur Fils
of France 7-6(4) 6-1 to hand Team World the opening point of the
competition for the first time in its six-year history.
"It's different pressure, for sure," said American Shelton, who
hit back from 1-4 in the first set tiebreak before switching
gears to close out the victory, as tournament co-founder and
20-times Grand Slam champion Federer watched from the stands.
"I love the type of pressure of playing for a team. In the back
of your head, it's always you don't want to let them down, but
also, the win is so much greater when you get to do it for them
and Team World, not just for yourself."
Argentine Cerundolo claimed his first point for Team World with
a 6-3 7-5 victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
"We've got some new blood. There's a lot of energy," Team World
captain John McEnroe said.
"I think we've always had the team spirit, but there's a great
team feeling. Obviously we've come in guns blazing. It's great
to have a lead."
Home favorite Felix Auger-Aliassime made it a hat-trick of
singles wins for Team World with a 6-4 6-3 victory over French
veteran Gael Monfils in the evening session.
Americans Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul then completed the clean
sweep by defeating Team Europe's Fils and Andrey Rublev 6-3 4-6
(10-6) in the doubles match.
The first team to reach 13 points will lift the Laver Cup.
While Team World claimed one point for each win on Friday, Team
Europe will not lose hope as two points will be on offer for
each victory on Saturday and three points for each win on the
final day.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by
William Mallard, Peter Rutherford)
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