LONDON (AP) — Filling in for the retired Roger Federer at the Laver Cup, 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini put Team Europe back in front by edging Team World's Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal 7-6 (11), 4-6, 10-7 on Saturday.
Federer closed his career at the team event founded by his management company on Friday night. The 20-time Grand Slam champion's last match came in doubles alongside longtime rival Rafael Nadal, a loss to Team World's Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.
Federer stuck around, though, and helped Berrettini by offering coaching advance during Saturday's opening singles match. Berrettini, a 26-year-old from Italy, originally was listed as an alternate on Team Europe, and it was clear he would step in for Federer, who said he ran his plan to bow out after doubles past the ATP and the team captains, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.
Like Federer, Nadal withdrew from the three-day competition following their doubles contest. Nadal's wife is supposed to give birth to their first child soon.