Team World strikes first at Laver Cup in Vancouver as Shelton cruises past Fils

Ben Shelton defeated Arthur Fils 7-6 (4), 6-1 as Team World took an early lead over Team Europe at the Laver Cup international tennis tournament in Vancouver.

Fils, a 19-year-old from France and making his Laver Cup debut, was up 4-1 in the first set tiebreaker before Shelton stormed back with six straight points to take the first set.

The American carried that momentum into the second set, scoring the first break of the match to go up 3-1 and winning out from there.

WATCH | Shelton defeats Fils in opener:

Shelton's points received sustained cheers from the crowd at Rogers Arena, with the American repeatedly turning towards the crowd and pumping his fist after scoring.

It was the first of four matches Friday, including a showdown between Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime and French veteran Gael Monfils.