Alcaraz wins after saving match points as Europe lead Laver Cup

Carlos Alcaraz, a two‑time Wimbledon champion, averted consecutive singles losses and recorded his first singles victory in roughly 18 months as Team Europe seized a 7‑5 advantage over Team World at the Laver Cup. Saving two match points, Alcaraz defeated Taylor Fritz 6‑3, 4‑6, 13‑11 in a dramatic deciding tie‑break played at London’s O2 Arena. The win marked Alcaraz’s first singles appearance since his late‑night quarter‑final exit to Ben Shelton at the US Open. “The driblet changeable is portion of my game,” Alcaraz said after sealing the triumph with his trademark touch. He added, “In those truly adjacent and important moments, I tried to usage it due to the fact that it was a truly bully limb for maine successful this match.” Fritz, whose only prior win over Alcaraz came during Team World’s victory in last year’s event, limited his unforced errors. Nevertheless, Alcaraz produced 42 winners to Fritz’s 20, prompting spectators that included Roger Federer and Andy Murray to rise to their feet. Facing a match point at 8‑9 down in the necktie break, Alcaraz fired an ace, then relied on a driblet changeable to stave off a second. He converted his third match point when Fritz failed to retrieve another delicate driblet changeable over the net. Earlier on Saturday, Andre Agassi’s Team World had threatened to run away with the contest. Alex de Minaur recovered from a set down to unsettle Alexander Zverev 2‑6, 7‑6 (7‑5), 11‑9, while American debutant Learner Tien edged Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6‑3, 2‑6, 10‑7. After Alcaraz’s singles heroics, Zverev paired with Casper Ruud to secure a vital 6‑4, 7‑6 (9‑7) doubles win over Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima, keeping Europe ahead heading into the final day. Match wins are worth three points on Sunday, and the first team to reach 13 points claims the trophy. Europe is pursuing its sixth Laver Cup crown, while the defending champions, Team World, aim for a third title.