Home SPORTS Carlos Alcaraz shines in doubles as Team Europe lead Team World 3-1 in Laver Cup

Carlos Alcaraz shines in doubles as Team Europe lead Team World 3-1 in Laver Cup

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Carlos Alcaraz (L) and Jakub Mensik
Carlos Alcaraz (L) and Jakub Mensik



Defending champions Team Europe stormed out of the gates on the opening day of the Laver Cup in San Francisco on Friday, winning three of four matches to take a handy lead over Team World with Carlos Alcaraz sparkling in doubles action.


“A very good tennis brain. He’s calm. He’s open to suggestions. He’s open to learning. He’s quick to respond. He’s quick to learn...”


Defending champions Team Europe got off to a flying start at the Laver Cup in San Francisco, securing a 3-1 lead over Team World after the first day of competition. The team won three out of four matches, setting the tone for a thrilling tournament.


World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, fresh from his US Open triumph, shone in the doubles match, partnering Czech player Jakub Mensik to a 7-6(7), 6-4 win over Team World's Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen. This victory marked a crucial moment for Team Europe, showcasing Alcaraz's exceptional skills at the net and baseline. Alcaraz praised the doubles format, saying it allows for “great shots, great volleys,” and highlighted Mensik's valuable contribution, stating, “It was a team effort with a great player in Jakub. He has great skills in points throughout and made me comfortable on the court.”


“I think that it gives you more opportunities to make great shots, great volleys,” Alcaraz said about playing doubles.


“But doubles is not just about one player. It was a team (effort) with a great player in Jakub. He has great skills in points throughout and made me comfortable on the court.”


Carlos Alcaraz showcased his exceptional skills in the doubles match, partnering with Jakub Mensik to lead Team Europe to a 3-1 advantage over Team World in the Laver Cup. The duo won their match 7-6(7), 6-4 against Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen, with Alcaraz displaying moments of magic from the net and baseline.

The Laver Cup is a prestigious team tennis tournament that pits the best players from Europe against those from the rest of the world. Modeled after golf's Ryder Cup, it offers a unique opportunity for top players to team up and compete together. The tournament's format features a point system, where wins on the first day are worth one point, two points on the second day, and three points on the third day. The first team to reach 13 points out of a total 24 available wins the championship.


Team Europe took an early lead in the Laver Cup, thanks to Norwegian Casper Ruud's 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Reilly Opelka of Team World. Ruud's win marked the first point for Team Europe. Jakub Mensik then secured the second point for the defending champions with a thrilling 6-1, 6-7(3), 10-8 win over Alex Michelsen.


Mensik's match was intense, with him facing pressure while serving for the match in the second set's ninth game. However, he held his nerve to secure victory in the match tiebreaker. Meanwhile, Joao Fonseca earned Team World's only point on the opening day, defeating Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 6-3. Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik later extended Team Europe's lead to 3-1 with a doubles victory over Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen, winning 7-6(7), 6-4.


Joao Fonseca secured a crucial win for Team World in the Laver Cup, defeating Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 6-3. The 19-year-old Brazilian rallied from a set deficit, showcasing his determination and skill on the court. Fonseca's victory not only earned Team World their first point but also prevented Team Europe from achieving a clean sweep.


“I knew it was going to be a difficult match, and I knew how important it was,” Fonseca said, highlighting his awareness of the stakes. Despite initial nerves, Fonseca's teammates helped boost his confidence, allowing him to hold serve and ultimately claim victory. “I tried to stay positive during the match. I was a little bit more nervous than usual, which is normal,” he added.

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Fonseca's impressive performance has garnered praise from tennis legends like Carlos Alcaraz, who noted Fonseca's maturity and exceptional tennis brain. “A very good tennis brain. He’s calm. He’s open to suggestions. He’s open to learning. He’s quick to respond. He’s quick to learn,” Alcaraz said, predicting Fonseca will be a great player in the near future.


“I'm happy with the way I managed to stay positive during the match. I like to play aggressive, so I wanted to suffocate him ... not let him breathe and not give him space.”


Day 1 Match Results:

  • Casper Ruud vs. Reilly Opelka: Team Europe won 6-4, 7-6(4)
  • Jakub Mensik vs. Alex Michelsen: Team Europe won 6-1, 6-7(3), 10-8
  • Joao Fonseca vs. Flavio Cobolli: Team World won 6-4, 6-3
  • Carlos Alcaraz/Jakub Mensik vs. Taylor Fritz/Alex Michelsen: Team Europe won 7-6(7), 6-4


The Laver Cup uses a unique format, where wins are worth 1 point on Friday, 2 points on Saturday, and 3 points on Sunday. The first team to reach 13 points will be crowned the champion. With their 3-1 lead, Team Europe is in a strong position heading into the second day of competition.






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