Team World has a player that can cause some surprises at the Laver Cup, according to Mark Petchey.
The ATP’s unique team event that brings the world’s best players and legends of the game together is set to commence on Friday at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Team World enter as the two-time defending champions and are aiming for their third successive victory.
All the players are ready to help their team win, but Team World captain John McEnroe may have a player at his disposal who can play a major role in his team’s chances of success.
Who does Mark Petchey think will be a dark horse for Team World at the Laver Cup?
Taylor Fritz, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Ben Shelton, Alejandro Tabilo and Frances Tiafoe will represent Team World at the Laver Cup.
But it is the final member of the team Francisco Cerundolo who Petchey thinks has the ability to cause several shocks in the competition. The Argentine is preparing for his second Laver Cup appearance after making his debut in 2023.
“I feel as though Team World come in with a fair bit of momentum. Frances has found his mo-jo. Cerundolo is one of those dark horses,” Petchey told the AO Show podcast.
“He has a brilliant record against top tenners for somebody of his ranking. Nine wins and only 12 losses, three and four against top five. He’s a dark horse for me. People aren’t looking for him maybe to score big wins, but I think he is a man for the big occasion.
“Ben Shelton is a guy who rises to the big occasion. Taylor Fritz reached the final of the US Open. When I look at the two teams I would say the momentum at the moment is very much on Team World’s side.”
What is Francisco Cerundolo’s Laver Cup record?
Cerundolo has played just one Laver Cup match in his career so far.
The 26-year-old made his debut in 2023 where he competed against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in singles action and claimed a 6-3, 7-5 win.
His victory helped Team World claim a 13-2 win over Team Europe, which is the second-largest largest margin of victory for any Laver Cup team so far.
Cerundolo has enjoyed a solid 2024 in which he won the Umag title and equalled his best result at the French Open by reaching the fourth round.
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