PRAGUE — Against the percentages and their biological clocks, it has been one of the dreamiest of seasons for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. And despite how much of a disrupter Nick Kyrgios can be when he is truly in the mood for tennis, he could not quite provide the buzzkill this weekend.
Instead, the final match of this first Laver Cup reached a conclusion very much in tune with these times, as Federer held firm to defeat Kyrgios in three sets after facing a match point.
Federer then held his ground once more when Nadal rushed onto the court and leapt into his arms to celebrate Team Europe’s 15-9 victory over Team World, which was not as lopsided as that final score might indicate: Each victory Sunday was worth 3 points.