Team Europe claimed the trophy at the seventh Laver Cup in Berlin, ending Team World's streak. Carlos Alcaraz made a memorable debut at a notable event, losing the opening doubles match before notching two singles and one doubles triumph, leading the blue squad toward the title.
The young Spaniard became the first player to deliver eight points in a single Laver Cup campaign, including the deciding ones. World no. 3 took down Ben Shelton on the second day and stepped in on the final one, joining forces with Casper Ruud and sealing the deal with a rock-solid win over Taylor Fritz.
Team Europe and Team World were tied after the opening day. The blue team claimed two singles wins before Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev stepped on the court against Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton. The Americans prevailed over the Europeans 7-6, 6-4 in an hour and 35 minutes.
The red team delivered higher performance behind the first serve, defending four of five break points and converting both break chances.
Fritz and Shelton made a flying start, serving well and earning a break in the fourth game for a 5-2 advantage.
Carlos and Alexander pulled the break back in the ninth game, prolonging the action and reaching a tie break. The Americans grabbed an early mini-break and kept it safely, winning the breaker 7-5 and gaining a boost. Taylor and Ben denied four break points in the fourth game of the second set and sealed the deal with a break in game nine.
A day later, Alcaraz played his first singles Laver Cup match, facing Ben Shelton and earning a 6-4, 6-4 victory in an hour and 43 minutes, locking the overall result at 4-4. The American hit only two aces on the slow indoor court and could not follow the pace of world no.
3. The Spaniard served at 78% and grabbed 78% of the points after landing in the first serve. He denied all five break points, mounting the pressure on the other side. The lower-ranked player fought well, defending nine of 11 break points but hitting the exit door after getting broken once in each set.
Carlos Alcaraz delivered three victories during his Laver Cup debut.
Carlos tamed his strokes nicely and landed 23 winners and 13 unforced errors, clinching a couple of spectacular points and giving the crowd something to cheer about.
Shelton made a reliable start before facing ten break points in three straight games in the opener, losing serve once and falling behind. The returners generated break points in five consecutive games in the second part of the set.
The Spaniard took the crucial points, surviving in games six and eight and keeping the pressure on the other side. A left-hander played against six break points in the seventh game, netting a backhand on the last and falling behind.
Alcaraz saved a break point in the eighth game and created two set points on the return in the next one. Ben denied them and prolonged the battle before Carlos held at love with a service winner at 5-4, wrapping up the opener after 61 minutes.
The second set was more fluid, with break chances in the opening two games and eight comfortable holds on both sides.
World no. 3 clinched a break in the first game after the rival's forehand error and saved a break point in the next one after drawing the opponent's mistake.
Both players served well in the rest of the set, with the Spaniard sealing the deal after a volley winner at 5-4. Team World led 8-4 ahead of the final day, with Alcaraz and Casper Ruud trying to keep Team Europe in contention.
The Europeans earned a surprising 6-2, 7-6 win over Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, diminishing the deficit. The blue squad led 11-7 ahead of the second match, leaving Zverev and Alcaraz with no room for errors. After a thriller, the German took down Frances Tiafoe, leaving Carlos playing the decider against Taylor Fritz.
The Spaniard ousted the American 6-2, 7-5 in an hour and 29 minutes, earning his eighth point of the weekend and propelling Team Europe over the top.
It was their first duel since Miami 2023, and world no.
3 had the upper hand, forging a 6-4, 4-2 advantage before sealing the deal in the closing stages. The four-time Major winner landed in 73% of the first serve and won 80% of the points. He saved three of four break points and delivered four breaks from six chances.
Fritz bounced back in the second part of the second set, earning his only break but failing to introduce a tie break. Alcaraz played aggressive tennis and rushed to the net, firing 24 winners and 18 unforced errors. Taylor could not produce his best tennis on the slow indoor court, remaining below ten winners and struggling behind the initial shot.
The Spaniard stayed composed after getting broken. He rattled off three games and emerged over the top in style, celebrating with his teammates and writing the Laver Cup history.
