Europe's team leads, 3-1 after the first day of Laver Cup »Carlos Alcaraz, followed from the Bill Gates and basketball players from the Golden State Warriors

Ashley Davis20/09/2025

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Article by Luminița Paul – published on Saturday, September 20, 2025, 14:41 / Updated on Saturday, September 20, 2025 2:43

The en-Titre champion, the team of Europe, started in force Laver Cup on Friday, at San Francisco, winning three of the four matches and ensuring a comfortable advantage in front of the world team. Carlos Alcaraz, the ATP leader, shone in the double match.

Laver Cup is transmitted in Romania by Eurosport and HBO max.

The eighth edition of Laver Cup, the competition created to pay the only player who has succeeded twice in the Grand Calendar Slam, the Australian Rod Laver (87 years old) consumed his inaugural day in the Chase Center in San Francisco.

The match that broke the greatest interest was the last, the double, who benefited from the presence of the world leader, Carlos Alcaraz (22 years old).

The Spanish, who recovered the peak position of the ATP ranking after the triumph at the US Open, made a team with the Czech Jakub mensik and drove Europe's team to a 7-6 (7) 6-4 victory against Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen in the final duel of the day.

Show with Carlos Alcaraz: “The double offers you more opportunities to make excellent blows and volleyballs”

“I think it gives you more opportunities to make excellent strokes and volleyballs,” Alcaraz said that the double delivers many spectacular sequences. “But double does not mean only one player. It was a team with a special player like Jakub. Has great skills in all chapters and made me feel comfortable on the ground”, Declared the Iberian.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MRR6FDKP4M

Participating in his first tournament since winning the sixth Grand Slam title, Alcaraz produced magical moments on the net and from the bottom line, while Mensik brought the strength. The first set was decided at Tie-Break, one in which the world team had the ball to win at 6-5, when Fritz sent a volley into the net. Team Europe won 10-8 after a 63-minute act, followed from the Bill Gates and basketball players from the Golden State Warriors.

“In double, whatever can happen,” said Alcaraz about the hot tie-break. “I was lucky, it was very tight. I think I missed a few blows that were very close to the line. It was a great tie-break, with excellent points. It was great that I saved the Set ball“The Europeans then obtained a decisive break in the 10th range of the second set, finally imposing themselves.

Mensik, who played two matches on the first day, was satisfied at the end of it. “Along with Carlos, I think we played well and completed each other. I am happy that I brought two points“Said the Czech.

Casper Ruud and Jakub mensik opened the way

Casper Ruud (26 years old, 12th ATP) gave the first shot of the day for Europe's team with a victory, 6-4, 7-6 (4) over Reilly Opelka (28 years old, 62th place) from the world team. The Norwegian had an extraordinary day at work, with 80% frequency at the first ball and 88% efficiency.

Casper Ruud at Llaver Cup 2025 Photo: Laver Cup

Then, Mensk was obtained the next point for the title holders, defeating Michelsen by 6-1, 7-6 (3), 10-8. The Czech started strongly in front of an opponent pressed by emotions, then the match balanced, and the show was one at height, as the suspense.

Joao Fonseca scored for Team World

The Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca (19 years old, 42th ATP) recovered a point for the world team in the evening session, returning after being driven with break and imposing 6-4, 6-3 in front of Flavio Cobulli (23 years, 25th place ATP).

“I knew it would be a difficult match and knew how important it was“, Then said the founder.”I am pleased with the way I managed to stay positive during the match. I like to play aggressively so I wanted to choke him, not let him breathe and not give him space“He explained his tactic.

Joao Fonseca at Laver Cup 2025 Photo: Laver Cup

Laver Cup, which lasts three days (September 19 – 21) and is considered the equivalent of tennis for Ryder Cup in the Golf, gives fans a rare opportunity to see the best players making a team. The first team that reaches 13 points out of a total of 24 available is declared a champion.

As in the previous editions, the victories of the first day are worth one point, two points being awarded for the victories of the next day, and the stakes increasing by three points for each victory in the last day of competition, Sunday. This ensures a denouement on the third day, to maintain the interest of the fans, especially those who buy complete ticket packages to be present at the site of the competition.