PRAGUE: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal took care of business in their singles matches before teaming up in an eagerly anticipated doubles pairing to extend Europe’s lead over players from the rest of the world in the inaugural Laver Cup on Saturday.

The new team tennis event, kicking off in Prague and moving to the United States next year, was a first chance for the world’s top two players to play competitively side by side.

Putting aside a rivalry rekindled this season after Spaniard Nadal and Swiss Federer swept all four Grand Slams, the pair outlasted and outclassed Americans Sam Querrey and Jack Sock to win 6-4, 1-6, 10-5 in the weekend’s headline match.

The doubles victory put Team Europe up 9-3 going into the final day when the four matches are each worth three points.

But they both denied planning a future as a doubles pair, saying it was “not a good idea”.

“We will always forever be rivals as long as we are active. And after this we will be rivals again,” said Federer, ranked number two in the world and holder of 19 career Grand Slam titles to top-ranked Nadal’s 16.

“But this was something very special. Knowing you can trust him in the big moments, seeing his decision-making, seeing his thought process, it was very interesting. It was definitely a different day to other days in my life.”

Nadal, 31, said he will remember the night he teamed up with his old rival and close friend for the first time.

“It was unforgettable for both of us after the history we have behind us as rivals. Something we really enjoyed a lot,” said the Spanish star.

“To have the possibility to have Roger next to me is a huge privilege...something I wanted to make happen at some point and today I made it happen.”

The Laver Cup, named after Australian tennis hero Rod Laver, is attempting to add new excitement to the sport in an already crowded calendar and was the brainchild of Federer and his sports management company Team8.

The Europeans are the clear favourites with five of the world’s top seven players and have won five of the six singles matches in the first two days.

In Saturday’s first match, Federer cruised through 6-4, 6-2 against world number 16 Querrey before Nadal overcame a scare to beat 21st-ranked Sock 6-3, 3-6, 11-9.

In the evening session, Australian Nick Kyrgios defeated Czech Tomas erdych, taking late control to win 4-6. 7-6 (7-4), 10-6.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2017