Home SPORTS Laver Cup: Taylor Fritz Stuns Carlos Alcaraz as Team World Dominates Laver Cup

Laver Cup: Taylor Fritz Stuns Carlos Alcaraz as Team World Dominates Laver Cup

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Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz sets up team World showdown with historic win over Alcaraz


Taylor Fritz pulls off a stunning upset against world number one Carlos Alcaraz, leading Team World to a 9-3 lead over Team Europe in the Laver Cup.


“I was playing a lot of the big points with conviction, I didn't second guess myself and I didn't play too safe...”



Taylor Fritz pulled off a stunning upset against world number one Carlos Alcaraz, winning 6-3, 6-2 and helping Team World take a commanding 7-3 lead in the Laver Cup. This marks Fritz's first-ever victory over Alcaraz in four attempts, including their semifinal match at Wimbledon this year.


Fritz's aggressive game plan paid off, as he broke Alcaraz once in the first set and twice in the second set, while saving both break points he faced. Alcaraz, fresh from his US Open win, seemed off his game, allowing Fritz to dictate the pace.


With Fritz's win, Team World now leads Team Europe 9-3, with Alex De Minaur and Francisco Cerundolo also contributing crucial singles victories. De Minaur even channeled Roger Federer with an effective backhand slice in his win over Alexander Zverev. The first team to reach 13 points will claim the Laver Cup title.




Post-Match Insights

Fritz credited his success to playing with conviction and no fear on big points. Alcaraz acknowledged Fritz's superior performance, saying, “I think he played some great tennis. I feel like he was more on the court than me.” Team World captain Andre Agassi emphasized the need to maintain momentum to secure the trophy.


“The three times that I've played Carlos, he's broken me in the first game ... so getting out of that first game was huge,” said Fritz.


“I was playing a lot of the big points with conviction, I didn't second guess myself and I didn't play too safe. I played with no fear.”


Alex de Minaur and Alex Michelsen's decisive doubles victory gave Team World a significant advantage, defeating Casper Ruud and Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4. This win extended Team World's lead to 9-3, setting the stage for a thrilling final day of competition in the Laver Cup.


The Laver Cup is a prestigious men's team tournament, often compared to golf's Ryder Cup, where Team Europe faces off against Team World. 

The competition's unique format awards points as follows:
  • Day 1: 1 point per win
  • Day 2: 2 points per win
  • Day 3: 3 points per win


The team that accumulates 13 points out of a possible 24 will claim the Laver Cup title. Given Team World's current 9-3 lead, they are in a strong position to secure the trophy, needing just 4 more points.


Alex de Minaur's 6-1, 6-4 victory over Alexander Zverev was a crucial win for Team World, erasing the deficit from the opening day. De Minaur's quick start paid off, as he surged to a 5-0 lead in the opening set and controlled the match from there.


De Minaur attributed his success to his fast start, emphasizing the importance of momentum in the clash between two top-10 players. By showcasing his speed and agility, De Minaur effectively countered Zverev's powerful shots and secured his third victory over the German in 11 career meetings.


“It's a part of my game that I've definitely unlocked over the last two years ... these guys, they hit the ball so hard and so big,” said De Minaur.


“I've got to find different ways to hurt them. I've got the ability to use my speed not only to retrieve but also sneak into the net. The more I do it the more comfortable I feel, the more points I win, and the more dangerous I become.”


Cerundolo's Win Puts Team World Ahead

Francisco Cerundolo's 6-3, 7-6(5) victory over Holger Rune gave Team World a 5-3 lead. This win set the stage for Taylor Fritz's stunning upset over Carlos Alcaraz, which further extended Team World's advantage.



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