Laver Cup: Carlos Alcaraz Saves Match Points as Team Europe Takes Lead
- Team Europe holds a 7-5 lead over Team World heading into the final day of the Laver Cup at London's O2 Arena after Carlos Alcaraz saved two match...
- Carlos Alcaraz avoided his first back-to-back singles defeats in 18 months by overcoming Taylor Fritz in a deciding tie-break.
- Alcaraz faced match point at 8-9 in the tie-break, which he escaped with an ace.
Team Europe holds a 7-5 lead over Team World heading into the final day of the Laver Cup at London’s O2 Arena after Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points to defeat Taylor Fritz 6-3, 4-6, 13-11. The victory, combined with a doubles win by Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud, secured Europe’s advantage on Sept. 27, 2026.
Carlos Alcaraz saves match points against Taylor Fritz
Carlos Alcaraz avoided his first back-to-back singles defeats in 18 months by overcoming Taylor Fritz in a deciding tie-break.
Alcaraz faced match point at 8-9 in the tie-break, which he escaped with an ace. He then used a drop shot to save a second match point. The Spaniard eventually sealed the win on his third match point when Fritz failed to retrieve a drop shot.
The victory marks a reversal of the previous year's competition in San Francisco, where Fritz defeated Alcaraz in a result The Hawk describes as key to Team World's triumph.
Alcaraz, who returned to the tour following a five-month layoff for a wrist injury, noted the utility of his touch shots during the match.
The drop shot is part of my game. In those really close and important moments, I tried to use it because it was a really good weapon for me in this match.
Carlos Alcaraz via BBC Sport
Zverev and Ruud secure doubles victory
Following the singles result, Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud defeated Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6 (9-7). This win extended Europe’s lead to 7-5.
Zverev described Alcaraz’s earlier win as probably the most important of the weekend.
Team World momentum and Saturday results
Team World, led by Andre Agassi, held a threat to pull away earlier on Sept. 27. Alex de Minaur defeated Alexander Zverev 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 11-9 after trailing by a set.
American debutant Learner Tien also defeated Italy's Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 2-6, 10-7. These results forced Europe to rely on the late-session wins by Alcaraz and the Zverev-Ruud pairing to regain the lead.
Laver Cup standings and Sunday requirements
Team Europe is currently chasing its sixth Laver Cup title, while Team World seeks its third as the defending champions.
The competition will conclude on Sunday, with the first team to reach 13 points winning the trophy. Matches played on the final day are worth three points each.