Enjoying catch-up for a lot of this weekend, Europe relied on a pair of highly effective rescuers to reclaim the Laver Cup.
In his competitors debut, Carlos Alcaraz fended off US Open finalist Taylor Fritz 6-2, 7-5 within the decisive match clinching Group Europe’s impressed 13-11 comeback conquest of Group World to win the Laver Cup at Uber Area in Berlin right now.
Two-time defending champion Group World was a few video games from a Laver Cup three-peat as Frances Tiafoe took a one-set, 4-2 lead over Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
As Berlin followers chanted his identify, Zverev rallied for a 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-5 win to keep up his mastery of Tiafoe, reduce Group World’s result in 11-10 and set the stage for Fritz vs. Alcaraz with the Laver Cup on the road.
Alcaraz accounted for six factors right now propelling this emotional comeback that noticed the Europeans win three of the final 4 matches.
For the third time in historical past, the Laver Cup was determined by the ultimate match and Alcaraz elevated to satisfy the second.
When it was over, Alcaraz embraced his blue-clad teammates, trotted to the middle of the court docket and unleashed a coronary heart “Vamos!” to cheering Berllin followers.
Two groups, three days, a number of residing legends in attendance and a few jaw-dropping shotmaking highlighted this Laver Cup weekend.
In the end, the highest-ranked gamers within the occasion—No. 3 Alcaraz and No. 2 Zverev—had been too powerful denying World a three-peat within the last matches for Group World captain John McEnroe and Group Europe captain Bjorn Borg.
The Blue Group raised its fifth Laver Cup in seven competitions—and first since Zverev and Andrey Rublev led Europe to a 14-1 thrashing of World on the 2021 Laver Cup Boston.
Legends Rod Laver, Roger Federer and Boris Becker had been all in attendance among the many packed Berlin crowd.
Group Europe was trailing 8-4 as the ultimate day of play started with the 13 factors the magic quantity to clinch the Laver Cup.
Alcaraz ignited and accomplished Europe’s comeback right now.
The 21-year-old Spaniard partnered Casper Ruud to a 6-2, 7-6(8) doubles victory over Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe to shut the hole to 8-7.
Shelton returned to court docket toppling world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev in a pulsating 6-7(6), 7-5, 10-7 conquest that put Group World one match win away from a Laver Cup three-peat.
Zverev and Alcaraz every elevated their play to finish Europe’s comeback.
“I’m very pleased with my group and what we did right now,” Europe Captain Bjorn Borg instructed Berlin followers. “Should you have a look at this morning I assumed we’re not gonna have a very good probability. However we got here via…
“I’m gonna miss John rather a lot. For us we’ve been seven years. I keep in mind when Roger referred to as me and stated You wanna be captain for Group Europe? And I used to be very pleased to say sure. John, we’ve been having time even when you guys misplaced.”
Laver Cup Outcomes for Sunday, September 22
Group Europe 13, Group Europe 11
Match 12
Carlos Alcaraz (Europe) d. Taylor Fritz (World) 6-2, 7-5
Match 11
Alexander Zverev (Europe) d. Frances Tiafoe (World) 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-5
Match 10
Ben Shelton (World) d. Daniil Medvedev (Europe) 6-7(8), 7-5, 10-7
Match 9
Carlos Alcaraz/Casper Ruud (Europe) d. Ben Shelton/Frances Tiafoe (World) 6-2, 7-6(6)
Laver Cup Outcomes for Saturday, September 21
Group World 8, Group Europe 4
Match 8
Ben Shelton/Alejandro Tabilo (World) d. Casper Ruud/Stefanos Tsitsipas (Europe) 6-1, 6-2
Match 7
Taylor Fritz (World) d. Alexander Zverev (Europe) 6-4, 7-5
Match 6
Carlos Alcaraz (Europe) d. Ben Shelton (World) 6-4, 6-4
Match 5
Frances Tiafoe (World) d. Daniil Medvedev (Europe) 3-6, 6-4, 10-5
Laver Cup Outcomes for Friday, September 20
Group World 2, Group Europe 2
Match 4
Taylor Fritz/Ben Shelton (World) d. Carlos Alcaraz/Alexander Zverev (Europe) 7-6(5), 6-4
Match 3
Grigor Dimitrov (Europe) d. Alejandro Tabilo (World) 7-6(4), 7-6(2)
Match 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas (Europe) d. Thanasi Kokkinakis (World) 6-1, 6-4
Match 1
Francisco Cerundolo (World) d. Casper Ruud (Europe) 6-4, 6-4
