The curse of the Laver Cup 2024 as nearly all involved are eliminated the following week in the first round

Last week, between Friday, September 20 and Sunday, September 22, the Laver Cup took place. Europe regained the throne, after two consecutive editions won by Team World. On this occasion, the men from the Old Continent won 13-11.

This week, two ATP 500, important tournaments of the Asian tour such as the Japan Open and the China Open, are being played. Today, the first round has been a real scorcher for the players who were in Berlin.

In Tokyo, Stefanos Tsitsipas lost to Alex Michelsen 6-4, 1-6, 2-6, Frances Tiafoe fell to Brandon Nakashima 5-7, 3-6, Taylor Fritz was no match for Arthur Fils, who beat him 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, and Casper Ruud took a correction from Jordan Thompson, 7-6(5), 6-1. The only one to escape was Ben Shelton, who had to work hard to come from behind against Reilly Opelka, but he got over the hurdle winning 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

But in Japan, it also continued albeit not on a Laver Cup element with Hubert Hurkacz also losing. This meant that most of the top names involved this week in Tokyo are now gone with Jack Draper and Shelton now leading the way.

In Beijing, it all started with the withdrawals of Alexander Zverev before the start of the event and Grigor Dimitrov at the last minute. On Thursday, September 26, no participant of the Laver Cup has played, but today, Friday 27, two other members of the European team, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev, will make their debut. The player from Murcia will play against the French giant Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and the Russian will face Gael Monfils.