Roger Federer won the inaugural Laver Cup for Team Europe beating back a fierce challenge from players from the rest of the world to claim the trophy in a dramatic final match.
Roger Federer celebrates Photo: Supplied
Despite cruising through the first two days, the Europeans needed the last match to finalise the victory and show the dominance expected from a team featuring five of the world's top seven players.
Federer delivered in a tight 4-6 7-6(6) 11-9 win over world number 20 Nick Kyrgios, with t
he Australian pushing to the final point as he sought a win that would have forced an overtime doubles match to decide the tournament.
But Kyrgios squandered a chance at match point and then smashed the ball into the net to end the battle, spurring Federer's European team mates, led by top-ranked Rafael Nadal, to leap off the bench and embrace the Swiss at the net.
Rafa Nadal celebrates Roger Federer's victory Photo: Supplied
"I was ready to go. I had to be. That is what a team member does. The boys played fantastic all weekend but we knew it could change very quickly on Sunday," Federer said.
"I was looking at getting ready maybe for doubles at the end... But I got it done."
An earlier victory from big-hitting German Alexander Zverev also helped fight off the last-day comeback from Team World, which entered the day 9-3 down after dropping six of the first eight matches.
Alexander Zverev Photo: Supplied
Zverev, the youngest player in the top 10 at age 20, then faced Team World's highest ranked player at number 16, Sam Querrey. He broke the American's serve midway through the first set and never looked back en route to a 6-4 6-4 win.
The Laver Cup, named after Australian tennis hero Rod Laver, has won plaudits from the players. Matches were close despite fears they would be little more than an exhibition.
Federer and Nadal, the game's top two players who split this season's four grand slams, teamed up on Saturday, putting aside a long-running rivalry to play doubles competitively for the first time, giving fans an eagerly anticipated treat.
With next year's play moving to Chicago, a John McEnroe-captained Team World will look to bounce back against Bjorn Borg's Team Europe.
"We were so, so close to pulling this off," McEnroe said
