Ben Shelton puts Team World one step from winning 2024 Laver Cup

There is something about hard courts that American players love. That is one advantage that Team World, which has three Americans on the team, has over a Team Europe group that is stuffed full of elite tennis talent at the 2024 Laver Cup. If this tournament were on clay, the event might not be close.

But it isn't and entering the final day of the Laver Cup, Team World held a commanding lead but the way the tournament works is that a win on Day 3 is worth three points. In other words, the trailing team could catch up fast. That was the case ahead of the Ben Shelton and Daniil Medvedev match as Team World suddenly led only 8-7.

Medvedev took the first set in a tie-break. Both players were performing well but Shelton's bombastic serve was not having the impact it normally has - the Russian out-aced the American 8-5 in the match. Plus, Shelton has played a lot at this year's Laver Cup and was looking a bit weary.

Ben Shelton defeats Daniil Medvedev to increase Team World's lead at the 2024 Laver Cup

But he refused to wilt. In an extremely evenly played second set, Shelton was able to get a break at 5-all and then held serve to event the match. He was helped by some odd errors from Medvedev who mishit a couple of overhead smashes into the net. The Russian was the one seemingly tiring and just missing on his forehand.

In the tie-break, Shelton was able to get the minibreak but Medvedev was able to earn it back. Late in the breaker, though, Shelton began to control the points. Throughout the second set and tie-break, Medvedev tried to test Shelton with drop-shots but most of the time Shelton was not only able to get to the ball but make a ridiculous return.

Two matches were left at the Laver Cup and Team World only needed to win the first of those to cement the victory. That match featured Shelton's good friend, Frances Tiafoe, against Alexander Zverev.

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