Laver Cup: Matteo Berrettini battles past Felix Auger-Aliassime to restore Team Europe's lead

Matteo Berrettini has given Team Europe a 4-2 lead over Team World after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(11) 4-6 10-7. Auger-Aliassime had enjoyed a clean first set but unforced errors crept into his game during a hard-fought tie-break. Ad The relief on Berrettini's face was clear when he took a gruelling 86-minute first set on his seventh set point when Auger-Aliassime crashed a forehand into the net.

Laver Cup'I couldn't sleep, he's my idol' — Berrettini very emotional over Federer retirementAN HOUR AGO But the Canadian roared back in the second set. He broke the Berrettini serve to move into a 2-1 lead and did not give the Italian a single break point opportunity. Auger-Aliassime produced a love hold on his serve to force the decider.

The extended tie-break decider was efficiently wrapped up by Berrettini, whose powerful first serve proved too much for Auger-Aliassime. Berrettini's big serve and forehand were crucial in a gripping first set which went to a tie-break, after both held their serve. The Italian eventually converted a set point to take the tie break 11-10 The second set began with a Berrettini hold.

However, Auger-Aliassime took the next three games, including a break. The remaining games all go to serve and despite advice from team mate Roget Federer, the Canadian was able to serve out the set with some big first serves and a big forehand to take it 6-4 to send the match to a tie-break. 'I couldn't sleep, he's my idol' — Berrettini very emotional over Federer retirement Federer hits freak shot THROUGH net, jokes 'eye still good' in farewell match ‘It’s exactly what I hoped for’ – Federer on ‘perfect journey’ coming to an end Berrettini took command of the deciding tie-break and raced into a 7-2 lead.