Cerundolo delivers a strong performance outplays Davdovich Fokina, boosts Team World's Laver Cup advantage

Francisco Cerundolo defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 7-5, maintaining Team World's lead in the Laver Cup.

Following the opening match between Shelton and Fils, which resulted in a victory for Team World, two other debutants in the tournament faced off—world No. 25 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and world No. 21 Francisco Cerundolo.

Cerundolo is the second Argentine to participate in the tournament, following Diego Schwartzman's three appearances in 2018, 2021, and 2022, making them the only South American players to have been present in any edition of the Laver Cup.

Davidovich was chosen by Bjorn Borg, captain of the European team, to replace the absent Holger Rune (4th), who was the highest-ranked player on the team. He is also the second Spanish player to compete in the tournament, preceded only by Rafael Nadal.

With both players holding their serves at the start of the match, Davidovich was the first to apply pressure to his opponent's serve, securing the first break opportunity, which was ultimately saved by Cerundolo in a lengthy 14-point game.

Buoyed by a tough game, the Argentine won the next three games, including two breaks, taking a 5-1 lead. The 24-year-old Spaniard recovered one break and then saved 4 break points against him to make it 5-3 and put Cerundolo in difficulties. However, this time, the Argentine did not falter with his serve, moving ahead 6-3.

The second set brought uncertainty in serves and extended exchanges between the players. Both players lost their serves during the set, with the Argentine being broken three times and the Spaniard four times, ultimately leading to Cerúndolo's victory.

Cerúndolo outperformed his opponent in exchanges with powerful forehand strokes and had the opportunity to seal the match with his service at 5-4. Fokina reacted and secured a break, but it was immediately countered by the Argentine, who finally showed no hesitation with his serve and secured the second set, closing the match 6-3, 7-5, and extending Team World's lead to 2-0.

The night session will feature the remaining two matches of the day. First up, 36-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils will face Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime.

The night will conclude with the tournament's first doubles match, where Andrey Rublev will team up with Arthur Fils to take on the North American duo of Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul.