Federer, Zverev win as Europe retains Laver Cup title

After Roger Federer secured a must-win victory for Team Europe, Alexander Zverev ensured the Laver Cup was retained in a title-deciding super-tiebreaker against Milos Raonic of Team World.

Zverev fired a cross-court forehand winner to clinch a 6-4, 3-6, 10-4 victory in the decisive singles match and give the Europeans a 13-11 win in points.

After Zverev fell to the ground in triumph, he disappeared from view under a pile of celebrating teammates including Federer, Rafael Nadal and their captain Bjorn Borg.

Team Europe's Rafael Nadal, left, speaks with Roger Federer, right, during the Laver Cup tennis event in Geneva, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (Martial TrezziniKeystone via AP)

Two hours earlier, Federer had delighted a sold-out crowd of 17,000 in his home country by beating John Isner 6-4, 7-6 (3) to set up the winner-take-all finale.

Europe began Sunday leading 7-5 in a scoring system that gave one point for a win on Friday and two on Saturday. Victories in the doubles and each of three singles matches scored three points on Sunday.

Nadal scratched from Europe's intended lineup in both the opening doubles with Federer and the first singles due to an inflamed hand.

Team Europe's Roger Federer returns a ball to Team world's John Isner during their match at the Laver Cup tennis event in Geneva, Switzerland, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (Salvatore Di NolfiKeystone via AP)

Isner and doubles specialist Jack Sock then beat Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas 5-7, 6-4, 10-8.

Nadal's replacement in singles, No. 5 ranked Dominic Thiem, was beaten 7-5, 6-7 (3), 10-5 by Taylor Fritz in a second straight match decided by the super-tiebreaker.

Fritz was a late replacement for Nick Kyrgios, who like Nadal scratched after both had played in singles and doubles on Saturday.

Team World's John Isner, right, and Jack Sock, left, celebrate winning the doubles match against Team Europe's Stefanos Tsitsipas and Roger Federer the Laver Cup tennis event in Geneva, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (Martial TrezziniKeystone via AP)

The European team also won the first two Laver Cup editions, played in 2017 in Prague and last year in Chicago.

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Team Europe's Stefanos Tsitsipas, rear, and teammate Roger Federer, front, play against Team World's John Isner and Jack Sock during a men's doubles tennis match at the Laver Cup tennis event in Geneva, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (Martial TrezziniKeystone via AP)

Team World's John Isner, rear, and teammate Jack Sock, front, play against Team Europe's Stefanos Tsitsipas and Roger Federer during a men's doubles tennis match at the Laver Cup tennis event in Geneva, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (Salvatore Di NolfiKeystone via AP)

Team World's Taylor Fritz returns a ball to Team Europe's Dominic Thiem during their match at the Laver Cup tennis event in Geneva, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (Martial TrezziniKeystone via AP)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United's season.

Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.

United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.

That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount's goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.

“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up."

Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.

“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”

With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition.

Blowing leads is not a new problem.

United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.

The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo's winner at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they'll need to avoid this time.

“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”

First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.

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Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions from the side line during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Manchester United players react after referee award a penalty to Chelsea during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)