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Carlos Alcaraz takes top billing as Europe dominate first day of Laver Cup

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A pumped-up Carlos Alcaraz delighted a London crowd containing Roger Federer to win in the Laver Cup doubles alongside Jakub Mensik and put Team Europe 3-1 up after day one.

Seven-time grand slam champion Alcaraz only returned from a four-month lay-off with a wrist injury at the US Open after he missed Wimbledon and Queen’s, but kept this Ryder Cup-style event on his calendar and was in the thick of the action on Friday.

World number three Alcaraz relished his opportunity to give out coaching instructions on a first appearance of 2026 in England before he ended up on the floor in celebration after a win for Casper Ruud during the day session.

Hours later, with a silver chain on show along with a white compression sleeve on his right arm, Alcaraz brushed off a couple of early wayward volleys to sparkle at The O2 with an array of forehand winners and deft touches at the net during 87 minutes on court in front of all-time great Federer.

Alcaraz and partner Mensik downed Taylor Fritz and Alexander Bublik by a 6-4 6-4 score to bring the curtain down on an entertaining and successful first day for Team Europe after earlier wins for Ruud and Rafael Jodar.

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“I am trying to have fun every place I go and every court I play on and especially doubles,” Alcaraz said during his on-court interview.

“I try to enjoy, try to be better and try to improve my tennis, my things and a couple of adjustments.

“I am trying to enjoy as much as I can and having a partner like Jakub, it is really easy to have fun on the court.”

Mensik added: “We didn’t do it that much to be honest during the week, and especially me.

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“For Carlos, it doesn’t matter if he plays singles or doubles, I think he could be world number one even in doubles!”

Ruud kicked off the action and marked his sixth appearance for Team Europe with a 6-7 (4) 6-4 10-8 victory over Francisco Cerundolo to floor a jubilant Alcaraz.

Alcaraz was in the ear of the two-time French Open runner-up Ruud during a difficult first set and the Norwegian eventually clinched the opener in London after a tense final point in the match tie-break.

It ended with Alcaraz in a heap on top of team-mates Jodar and Flavio Cobolli after a Ruud winner before the Spaniard got up to join the celebrations, but Team World debutant Brandon Nakashima got Andre Agassi’s men on the board with win over Mensik.

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After Nakashima was victorious by a 6-1 3-6 10-7 score, the American was labelled “AI” by captain Agassi.

“He’s rock solid,” Agassi said. “I’m not convinced he is real. I think he is AI. He just goes about his business point after point after point.”

Spanish sensation Jodar dismantled Bublik in emphatic fashion but only after he required the help of captain Yannick Noah to assist with more shoelace issues in the third game.

Jodar has risen up the rankings during the past 12 months and yet caused occasional ire with frequent problems with his trainers. After he resolved this issue and received encouragement from Alcaraz, the big-hitting 20-year-old smashed his way to a 6-2 6-3 win in front of Federer.

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“I’m very happy to represent (Team Europe) and I also want to thank Roger who was in the stands watching me. It’s a pleasure,” Jodar said.

All eyes were then on Alcaraz and he did not disappoint.

An early bullet forehand down the line was a sign of things to come and a succession of volleys at the net, including on match point, inspired Team Europe to a 3-1 lead after day one.

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Troy Aikman Faces ESPN Uncertainty After Joe Buck Lands $108M Extension

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Troy Aikman’s ESPN future could stay unresolved until after Super Bowl LXI, despite Joe Buck signing a new $108 million contract.

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4 Mistakes WWE made on SmackDown from Indianapolis (September 25, 2026)

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The latest episode of WWE SmackDown was a mixed bag. CM Punk, Gunther, and Finn Balor had a great main-event triple threat match. The rest of the bouts, however, weren’t nearly as good.

Trick Williams beat Baron Corbin again. The only benefit is that the feud is hopefully finally over. Nikki Bella got in WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green’s face about a title shot.

The former Divas Champion played a role in Green’s match later in the night. Damian Priest attacked R-Truth at the Performance Center earlier this week.

Randy Orton demanded Michael Cole interview him after he did the same for Cody Rhodes last week. Some storylines moved along while others did not. WWE made the next four mistakes on SmackDown from Indianapolis.


#4. No mention of the WWE Tag Team Championships

WWE is in another cycle of ignoring its tag team champions. Bron Breakker and Austin Theory were in Money in the Bank qualifiers instead of defending the World Tag Team Titles.

Part of the problem is that Triple H has done next to nothing to build the tag divisions on both RAW and SmackDown. The MFTs fought Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki last week in a non-title match.

This week’s SmackDown didn’t address last week’s showdown. There weren’t pre-taped promos or a backstage segment. Money in the Bank is obviously more important, but WWE could give a few minutes to one of the brand’s champions.

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#3. Paige gets pinned again

Paige’s return to WWE at WrestleMania 42 was an exciting moment. She won the Women’s Tag Team Titles with Brie Bella but has done nothing but lose since dropping those titles.

The Anti-Diva has fallen in her last five matches and has been pinned in her last four contests. Nikki Bella cheated in a one-on-one showdown by pulling the tights during the pin attempt.

Nikki then tripped her rival on SmackDown, leading to Jacy Jayne getting the pin. This booking is usually reserved for someone at the bottom of the roster. That isn’t Paige.


#2. The Lone Wolf has dull teeth

Baron Corbin came back to WWE earlier this summer. He immediately targeted United States Champion Trick Williams. Corbin eventually defeated Trick for the title at SummerSlam. He beat him in another messy rematch.

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Trick “earned” another shot because his rapper friend lasted for five minutes in a match with Corbin at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Corbin lost twice that night. He lost to Williams yet again, only this time inside of a steel cage on SmackDown.

The match quality has been mediocre and marred with interference. The money may be good, but Corbin doesn’t seem like a threat to anyone. He lost to a non-competitor in one contest. Corbin looks like a wolf without teeth after losing again.


#1. Did CM Punk really need to qualify?

Finn Balor, CM Punk, and Gunther battled for a spot in next month’s Money in the Bank match. The Best in the World has already held both the WWE and World Heavyweight Titles this year.

He’s also been part of the ongoing chaos around the Undisputed Championship. Since he’s held both major titles this year, Balor or Gunther should have earned the spot in Money in the Bank.

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Punk beat The Prince twice this year already, but Balor hasn’t had a fair one-on-one title shot since moving to SmackDown. Gunther had plenty of title opportunities this year but would have been a key part of the ladder match.

Most fans would root against him winning the briefcase. Instead of allowing a different veteran to qualify for Money in the Bank, Triple H handed another big spot to a guy who’s had plenty of them this year. Gunther also loses more steam after another big loss. He’ll probably blame Danhausen.