Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points before defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 4-6, 13-11 in a pulsating deciding tie-break on day two of the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday.
The world number three, playing his first singles match since his late-night quarter-final exit to Ben Shelton at the US Open, needed every ounce of his trademark flair to see off an inspired Fritz in a contest that lasted nearly two hours.
Alcaraz raced through the opening set, striking 42 winners to Fritz's 20 as he mixed bruising baseline power with delicate drop shots that left the American grasping at thin air. The Spaniard controlled the early exchanges, breaking Fritz twice and wrapping up the first set 6-3 in convincing fashion.
But Fritz, who had beaten Alcaraz in last year's Laver Cup as part of Team World's triumph, refused to fade. The American raised his level in the second set, capitalising on a dip in Alcaraz's intensity as the Spaniard's unforced errors crept up. Fritz broke decisively and held his nerve to level the match at one set apiece with a 6-4 second set.
The super tie-break to decide the match delivered drama worthy of the occasion. Alcaraz surged ahead early, building a 7-4 lead, but Fritz fought back to earn match point at 9-8. Facing elimination, Alcaraz unleashed a thunderous ace to save the first, then relied on one of his trademark drop shots to stave off a second at 10-11. Having clawed his way back, the Spaniard won three consecutive points and sealed victory on his third match point — once again with a drop shot over the net that Fritz could only watch.
"I suffered, but I enjoyed," Alcaraz said courtside, drawing laughs from a crowd that included Roger Federer and Andy Murray. "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."
The victory, combined with Alex de Minaur's earlier win over Alexander Zverev and the Zverev-Casper Ruud doubles success, left Team Europe holding a 7-5 lead heading into Sunday's decisive final day. Europe are chasing their sixth Laver Cup title, while holders Team World are aiming for a third.
Sources
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cm5yddy3wv90o https://www.ubitennis.com/blog/2026/09/26/laver-cup-alcaraz-spumeggiante-e-disattento-fritz-cede-al-super-tie-break/
