Alcaraz saves match points, Europe leads Laver Cup 7-5

Alcaraz’s match was the longest and the best of the weekend, and a rematch of the one Fritz won in San Francisco last year on the way to Team World taking the Cup. This time the American took the second set and moved two points from the match in the breaker, and Alcaraz came through 13-11.

“I wasn’t surprised about Taylor’s level. I think both of us played great tennis,” he said. “The speed of the ball, the intensity we have been hitting the ball in every aspect was really, really high. I think this court, these balls, suit pretty well to have long rallies, to have more times to get a good position and hit the ball in the right point of the racquet. I think that’s great for the fans to watch.”

What turned it, by his own account, was the bench, and Ruud in particular. “He was telling me that from outside I have to be more calm, because they were watching the rallies really good, and sometimes on court I feel really stressful, that I have to overplay sometimes and play big all the shots all the time that I don’t need to,” Alcaraz said.

“Him approaching the bench and telling me that they were seeing the match a totally different way from the way I was seeing it, and telling me I have to be more positive because I was better than him, having better shots than him, so I have to play smart, not overplay, and try to get into the rhythm. Coming from a match tie-break and having those advices from a player like him, it was really meaningful and really helpful.”

They remind me that it’s not a singles match. I’m playing for my team

“It’s great, because they remind me that it’s not a singles match. I’m playing for my team, I’m playing for them as well,” he added. “Seeing them sometimes in those really stressful situations helps me to stay calm and think what I have to do.”

He was as concerned with the timing of the two points as with the tennis. “I’m really happy to get them the win, because I think it was really important, seeing how the day was going. Having this important win helps the team a lot with the confidence, and obviously for the excitement of every match, for doubles and I would say for tomorrow’s match.”

The doubles bore him out. Ruud, playing his second match of the day, paired with Zverev, whose afternoon had ended in defeat to de Minaur, and the two of them beat Bublik and Nakashima 6-4, 7-6 (7), taking a fourth tie-break of the day to give Europe the lead they will carry into Sunday.

Sunday’s matches are worth three points each and 13 points win the Cup, which leaves Team Europe needing six more and Team World eight.

LAVER CUP 2026, Day 1 results

Casper RUUD (EUR) bt Francisco CERUNDOLO (WLD) 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-8

Brandon NAKASHIMA (WLD) bt Jakub MENSIK (EUR) 6-1, 3-6, 10-7

Rafael JODAR (EUR) bt Alexander BUBLIK (WLD) 6-2, 6-3

Carlos ALCARAZ / Jakub MENSIK (EUR) bt Alexander BUBLIK / Taylor FRITZ (WLD) 6-4, 6-4

Team Europe 3, Team World 1 (each match worth 1 point)

LAVER CUP 2026, Day 2 results

Learner TIEN (WLD) bt Flavio COBOLLI (EUR) 6-3, 2-6, 10-7

Alex DE MINAUR (WLD) bt Alexander ZVEREV (EUR) 2-6, 7-6 (7), 11-9

Carlos ALCARAZ (EUR) bt Taylor FRITZ (WLD) 6-3, 4-6, 13-11

Casper RUUD / Alexander ZVEREV (EUR) bt Alexander BUBLIK / Brandon NAKASHIMA (WLD) 6-4, 7-6 (7)

Team Europe 7, Team World 5 (each match worth 2 points)

LAVER CUP 2026, Day 3 order of play, from 12pm

Click here to read article