Staff Europe is again in rivalry for the Laver Cup crown in San Francisco. The blue squad clinched three factors within the opening match of Sunday's program and lowered the hole to Staff World to 9-7.
Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud stepped onto the courtroom in opposition to Reilly Opelka and Alex Michelsen and scored a 7-6, 6-1 victory in an hour and 35 minutes for extra drama forward of singles motion.
The Europeans served nicely and confronted no break factors. The People felt the strain and cracked below it after a wonderful first set that went all the way down to the wire.
"I at all times select essentially the most tough one." 😅
There is just one @carlosalcaraz.#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/bg1jjX5zbq
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 21, 2025
Alex and Reilly performed in opposition to 13 break factors, eight within the opening set. They lastly misplaced the tempo in set quantity two, with every participant shedding serve as soon as en path to the exit door.
Alcaraz and Ruud made a robust begin and generated six break factors within the opening two return video games. Michelsen and Opelka denied them and averted an early setback.
The People survived two tougher video games and reached a tie break. They grabbed a mini-break within the third sport and cast a 4-1 benefit, wanting good to show the tables fully.
Carlos Alcaraz & Casper Ruud, Laver Cup 2025© Stream screenshot
Nonetheless, Carlos and Casper regrouped and launched their comeback. They grabbed two factors on the return for a 5-4 lead and clinched the breaker 7-4 after Ruud's service winner.
Staff Europe gained a lift and made one other push on the return at 1-0 within the second set. They lastly seized the fourth break level after drawing Reilly's mistake to maneuver in entrance.
Carlos landed a outstanding volley winner within the fourth sport for one more break and a 4-0 benefit. World no. 1 closed the fifth sport at love after a booming serve.
Staff Europe held at 30 at 5-1 to emerge on the prime and cut back the general deficit.
