Carlos Alcaraz thrilled with ‘important win’ for Team Europe in Laver Cup

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.

Join today

Already a member?
Log in

Advertisement

Carlos Alcaraz stepped up to flip the momentum in the Laver Cup with a crucial victory over Taylor Fritz to help Team Europe establish a 7-5 advantage after day two.

After Team World started the day session with back-to-back wins to go into the lead, it threatened to become three in a row when Fritz fought back from a set down to force two match points, but Alcaraz dug deep to prevail 6-3 4-6 13-11 in a thrilling Laver Breaker.

Alcaraz produced a masterful drop shot to help clinch a crucial two points for Team Europe in front of Roger Federer and Andy Murray at The O2 in only his second tournament since a four-month lay-off with a wrist injury.

“I’m really happy to get the win because I think it was really important. Seeing how the day was going, this is an important win and should give the team confidence,” Alcaraz said.

“I’m leaving the court really happy with everything I have done and also with the things I have been practising so far.

“I feel the drop is part of my game already. I am trying to use it in my favour. The drops made in the match, I think I won if not every drop at least a high percentage so in those moments, I try to use it because it was a good weapon for me.”

The pressure was on when Alcaraz stepped on to the black court in London after he watched Team Europe’s Alexander Zverev let slip a position of total dominance to lose to Alex De Minaur, who walked off with blood streaming from his right leg.

With the score 5-3 to Team World after the day session on Saturday, Alcaraz wrestled the initiative to take the first set, but Fritz responded and a fifth consecutive tie-break was required.

A wonderful serve-and-volley set up the first of three match points for Alcaraz, but Fritz went clutch and then fashioned two of his own – only for the seven-time major champion to stay in the match with an ace.

The O2 crowd were on their feet again after Alcaraz sent down a booming forehand winner before an outrageous drop shot could only be returned into the net by Fritz to give a vital win for Yannick Noah’s Team Europe.

It was backed up by Zverev being able to atone for his defeat to De Minaur after he formed a successful doubles’ partnership with Casper Ruud to beat Team World pair Brandon Nakashima and Alexander Bublik.

Zverev and Ruud triumphed 6-4 7-6 (7) to keep Team Europe in front ahead of Sunday’s final day.

Team World captain Andre Agassi had watched his gamble pay off at the start of Saturday, with debutant Learner Tien put in against French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli and he was able to battle to a 6-3 2-6 10-7 win.

It earned Tien a chest bump off Agassi before De Minaur pulled off an incredible rescue act against two-time major winner Zverev.

Zverev raced through the first set and opened up a break in the second to serve for the match at 5-4, but De Minaur broke and survived match point in the Laver Breaker before he outlasted the German in a dramatic final rally to win 2-6 7-6 (5) 11-9

“What a place to play some tennis. This is special. Thank you guys. If you notice, my blood is red as well,” De Minaur said, with reference to Team World’s red outfit.

However, Alcaraz turned it around for Team Europe and avoided the prospect of back-to-back singles’ defeats for the first time in 18 months to gain revenge on Fritz for his loss in the 2025 edition and set up a tantalising final day.