A historic night of tennis awaits in London as Roger Federer bids farewell to the sport and plays the final match of his career alongside Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup. Federer, who will go down as perhaps the greatest champion in tennis history, will retire from the sport aged 41 and the moment brought the sport and his rivals together at the O2 Arena. Federer’s wish to play his final match against arch-rival Nadal has been granted, creating a special occasion with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray also competing for Team Europe. They will face Team World, which is led by John McEnroe and has lost all four previous editions of the matchplay competition. Before tonight’s doubles, there will be three singles matches. Kasper Ruud won his opening match of the day against Jack Sock 6-4 5-7 (10-7) followed by Stefanos Tsitsipas who crushed Diego Schwarzman 6-2 6-1 to double Europe’s lead . However, the match was overshadowed by a bizarre climate change protest in which a man set his hand on fire while on the pitch, wearing a T-shirt that read: ‘End UK Private Jets’. Murray then faces Alex De Minaur before the eyes of the world turn to Federer for the final time and the Swiss brings his storied career to a close. Watch live updates of the opening day of the Laver Cup, below:
Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Latest updates from Federer’s final tournament
Show latest update 1663961774
Laver Cup 2022: *Andy Murray 6-5 Alex De Minaur
Amazing from Murray! He plays an excellent backhand winner on the turn, past De Minaur into the net! He moves Murray to 15-30 on De Minaur’s serve and also inches away from a drop shot winner. Murray hits a forehand but De Minaur can’t answer the backhand. He sets up another twin. This is another good chance for Murray but he rattles a backhand into the net. Instead, he lands another stunning shot, this time a beautiful pick-up volley – but De Minaur sends a forehand winner straight past him. However, De Minaur can’t get there. Murray cuts across the net, blocking De Minaur, before playing the pass! We continue… Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 20:36 1663961124
Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 6-5 Alex De Minaur*
Murray raises his fist and growls back at Federer and his teammates after leaving behind an overhead, but as with the previous point, he nets rather loosely on the forehand. Back to the net – no player gets off easy. Great hands from Murray at the end though! He gets a rushing reply from De Minaur as the Australian then scores. Murray leaves another sign of relief as De Minaur nets again to make it six games. Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 20:25 1663960737
Laver Cup 2022: *Andy Murray 5-5 Alex De Minaur
We’re approaching an hour and heading into a very long opening set. Those waiting for Federer’s final match may have to push their schedules a little more… De Minaur holds without much fuss and now Murray will see if he can break the Australian’s serve to stay in the set once again. Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 20:18 1663960435
Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 5-4 Alex De Minaur*
Murray is able to break through on his next serve, with the serve pulling him out of some trouble again. However, he is unable to get his head into the net, so De Minaur takes it to the net. De Minaur goes wide on the return but then Murray puts a long through the baseline. This time Murray leaves. He beats De Minaur from the baseline and goes ahead once more. Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 20:13 1663959953
Laver Cup 2022: *Andy Murray 4-4 Alex De Minaur
The match comes down to earth a bit with some wasted points, but Murray is able to crawl back to a deuce on the De Minaur serve. The Aussie is still struggling to put Murray away, before Murray bids his time and then unleashes a superb crosscourt forehand winner! Back to deuce, and De Minaur throws a tight double fault… but then answers with three aces. Nice. Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 20:05 1663959437
Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 4-3 Alex De Minaur*
Murray comes up with the serves he needs to break 15-30 down before finding the corner forehand to seal the hold and take the match. He returns to his bench a much happier man. Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 19:57 1663959143
Laver Cup 2022: *Andy Murray 3-3 Alex De Minaur
From that moment of magic, De Minaur scores twice after clear play from Murray. He brings three break points and Murray takes the first! He roars at Federer, Nadal and Djokovic! Wonderful things. Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 19:52 1663959061
Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 2-3 Alex De Minaur*
Incredible from Murray! I can’t believe he just earned that grade! After being dispatched by De Minaur, chasing left and right, picking up lobs, he returns to the point and lobs the Aussie with his trademark header, before volleying over the top of the net! That was great, and Murray stops and looks at his bench, his friends and his opponents. Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 19:51 1663958788
Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 2-3 Alex De Minaur*
Murray will need more powerful, directed striking to crush De Minaur. The Australian is happy to play on the back foot – but that’s exactly what Murray does with an excellent forehand into the corner. Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 19:46 1663958574
Laver Cup 2022: *Andy Murray 1-3 Alex De Minaur
This is better than Murray. He is increasing the power of his strokes and is having some success against De Minaur, despite being down 40-0 on the Australian’s serve. Murray climbs back into the two points as De Mignoir struggles with some midfield balls. Winner! There is a glimmer of ‘mon! from Murray as he backhands past De Minaur – and Europe’s bench rises! Murray thinks he made the backhand go over the line, but it’s over. De Minaur can get away with it – thanks to a net. Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 19:42
