Novak Djokovic looked sharp as he thrashed US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe at the Laver Cup in his first appearance since winning Wimbledon.

The former world number one’s win put Europe into a 6-4 lead going into Saturday’s final doubles match.

Roger Federer, whose career came to an end in the early hours of Saturday, was on the bench to support Djokovic.

The 41-year-old Swiss was also present in the day session, offering advice to Britain’s Cameron Norrie and Italy’s Matteo Berrettini during their matches.

World number eight Norrie lost on his Laver Cup debut as American opponent Taylor Fritz won 6-1 4-6 10-8 to leave the teams tied at 4-4 at the halfway stage of the three-day event.

Earlier, Berrettini had put Europe into a 4-2 lead with a 7-6 (11-9) 4-6 10-7 win over Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Serbia’s Djokovic had not played competitively since winning Wimbledon in July, having been prevented from playing in the United States because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.

“I haven’t played for two months and I’m really glad to have continued the run, it was a pretty decent match from my side. I’m seeing the ball well and didn’t do many things wrong,” he said.

Referring to Federer’s farewell, Djokovic added: “It was a long and emotional day yesterday, it was hard to restart the engine.

“It was one of the most beautiful moments we have experienced live or on the tennis courts. We were all taken away by it.”

Later on Saturday, 21-time major singles champion Djokovic teams up with Berrettini against Team World pair Jack Sock and Alex de Minaur in the doubles.

Each match win is worth two points on Saturday and three points on Sunday, with the first team to earn 13 points declared the winners.

‘I couldn’t sleep after Federer cried on my shoulder’

Federer was coaching Berrettini during the Italian’s match, which the world number 15 described as surreal because the Swiss great had inspired him to become a professional tennis player.

“It’s actually weird, because when you’re on court you’re not thinking, oh my God, Roger is coaching me,” said 26-year-old Berrettini.

“But then when you finish the match, you’re like, wait, what? Last night, for example, one of the reasons why I couldn’t sleep is because Roger had been crying on my shoulder [during his farewell match].”

Federer, 41, played alongside Rafael Nadal in the doubles as he waved goodbye to his 25-year professional career on an emotional night.

Nadal, whose wife is expecting their first child, only went to London to play in Federer’s farewell and has now returned to Spain.

Players from each side are usually required to play at least one singles match in the annual three-day event.

The teams were level at 2-2 at the end of the opening day, when one point was given to each victory, after Federer and Nadal lost to American pair Sock and Tiafoe.

Federer’s retirement has been quickened by a knee injury, which meant he was only fit enough to play doubles and was replaced by Berrettini for the singles.

British number one Norrie, 27, was the second alternate for Team Europe and played as a result of Nadal’s departure.