Team Europe secured the fifth Laver Cup title in Berlin, the first since 2021. World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz led the blue squad toward a tight 13-11 win over Team World, collecting eight points on his Laver Cup debut. In the deciding match on the third day, the Spaniard took down the US Open finalist Taylor Fritz 6-2, 7-5 in an hour and 29 minutes, preventing his rivals from earning the third straight trophy.
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Carlos and Taylor met for the first time since Miami in March 2023. The better-ranked player served at 73% and grabbed 80% behind the first serve, earning the victory in that segment. The younger competitor denied three of four break points and notched four return games from six opportunities, building a massive 6-2, 4-2 advantage before prevailing in the closing stages of set number two.
Alcaraz outplayed Fritz with an aggressive approach, rushing to the net and landing 24 winners and 18 unforced errors.
Team Europe defeated Team World 13-11 at the Laver Cup in Berlin.
The American could not find his A-game, struggling on serve and return before taking three straight games to prolong the battle.
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However, world no. 3 rattled off the final three games, moving his team over the top and starting a massive celebration. They kicked off the action with two holds at love, and Taylor looked good to secure another fine hold at 1-1.
World no. 7 squandered a 40-15 lead and three game points, offering his rival two break chances. Carlos fired a forehand down the line winner on the second, delivering an early break and moving 2-1 in front. The Spaniard cemented the lead with a comfortable hold and made another push on the return in the next one.
The four-time Major winner welcomed the rival's volley error at the net in the fifth game, earning his second straight break and forging a 4-1 advantage. Alcaraz produced another fine hold for 5-1 and wrapped up the opener with a service winner, bringing the first part of the duel home in 31 minutes.
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Fritz suffered a significant blow in the third game of the second set, leading 40-0 before dropping five straight points, sending his rival a set and a break in front.
The Spaniard experienced the first problems behind the initial shot in the fourth game. Carlos played against three break points, denying them and holding for 3-1. Taylor saved a break point in the seventh game, remaining within one break deficit and raising his level on the return in the next one.
Alcaraz played a loose service game, placing a forehand wide and suffering the only break of the duel. Carried by this boost, the US Open finalist held at love in the ninth game, moving in front and hoping for more in the rest of the set.
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Instead, world no. 3 delivered a crucial break in the 11th game after a deep return, moving in front and serving for the title at 6-5. Carlos held at 30 with a powerful serve, starting a massive celebration with his teammates and Bjorn Borg.
