Laver Cup: Alcaraz saves 2 match points to beat Fritz, Team Europe lead 7-5
Synopsis
Carlos Alcaraz, back from a five-month wrist injury, saved two match points against Taylor Fritz to win 6-3, 4-6, 13-11 at the Laver Cup — avenging last year's loss that cost Team Europe the title. Ruud and Zverev then sealed the night session in doubles, giving Team Europe a 7-5 lead heading into the final day.
Key Takeaways
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3, 4-6, 13-11 , saving two match points in the super-tiebreak.
The win was a direct revenge for Alcaraz's defeat to Fritz at Laver Cup San Francisco last year, which helped Team World clinch that title.
Alcaraz returned after a five-month layoff due to a serious wrist injury to deliver arguably the most important win of the weekend .
Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev beat Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6(7) in doubles.
Team Europe lead Team World 7-5 heading into the final day of the Laver Cup .
Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points and claimed revenge against Taylor Fritz with a gritty 6-3, 4-6, 13-11 victory on Day 2 of the Laver Cup, before Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev sealed a 6-4, 7-6(7) doubles win over Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima to send Team Europe ahead 7-5 over Team World.
Alcaraz Exacts Revenge on Fritz
A year after Fritz had humbled Alcaraz at Laver Cup San Francisco — a pivotal defeat that helped tip the title towards Team World — the 23-year-old Spaniard turned the tables in a one-hour, 50-minute thriller. Alcaraz opened the contest with an immediate break, sending a picture-perfect lob beyond the reach of the 28-year-old American, who is regarded as one of the tour's most formidable servers.
Alcaraz raced to a 5-1 lead in the deciding super-tiebreak, showcasing his drop-shot prowess and all-court speed. Yet Fritz refused to fold, fighting back to set up match-point opportunities at 10-9 and 11-10, only for both to be erased. On his own third match point at 12-11, Alcaraz closed out the match — fittingly — with another drop shot.
Notably, Alcaraz returned to tour action after a five-month layoff caused by a serious wrist injury, carrying the additional weight of being a seven-time Grand Slam champion expected to anchor Team Europe. The result levelled the Day 2 team score at 5-5 before the doubles pairing extended the lead.
What Alcaraz Said After the Win
'Every time I smile, it feels like I'm having fun and I'm relaxed,' Alcaraz said. 'When that time comes, it's when I play my best tennis. It's important to accept the moment, even if it's break point down or 6-all in the tiebreak. You have to accept those moments.'
Ruud and Zverev Clinch the Night Session
Ruud and Zverev combined to deliver the decisive blow in the night session, defeating Bublik and Nakashima 6-4, 7-6(7) to push Team Europe's overall lead to 7-5. The doubles win was crucial after Team Europe absorbed two tough losses earlier in the day.
'It was nerve-wracking watching every match,' said Ruud. 'Sometimes it's almost better to play than watch from the sidelines. Luckily, we avoided another match tiebreak. It was a great team effort to get two wins in the night session for Team Europe. We definitely needed it after two tough losses.'
Zverev echoed the sentiment: 'I'm very happy with the team effort. Carlos kicked it off with probably the most important win of the weekend. I'm very happy we finished the day with a win as well.'
Context and What It Means for the Tournament
The Laver Cup is a team competition pitting the best European players against a Rest of the World selection, contested over three days with points accumulating across singles and doubles ties. A 2-point gap heading into the final day keeps both sides very much in contention, with match values increasing as the weekend progresses. This is the first time Alcaraz has been the central figure in a Laver Cup comeback, and his form — particularly after a lengthy injury break — will be closely watched as the tournament concludes.
With the competition delicately poised, the final day promises high drama as Team World will need to overturn the deficit against a resurgent Team Europe.
Point of View
Yet he produced vintage drop-shot tennis under severe pressure. More broadly, the Laver Cup narrative is building precisely the way its organisers would have scripted it: a tight margin, star performances, and a final day that genuinely matters. The 7-5 scoreline flatters neither side — Team World remains capable of overturning it, especially with match values rising on Day 3.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Alcaraz vs Fritz at the Laver Cup?
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3, 4-6, 13-11 in a match that lasted one hour and 50 minutes. Alcaraz saved two match points in the super-tiebreak before sealing the win with a drop shot at 12-11.
What is the current Laver Cup score after Day 2?
Team Europe lead Team World 7-5 after the Day 2 night session. Alcaraz's singles win and the Ruud-Zverev doubles victory in the night session gave Europe a 2-point cushion heading into the final day.
Why is Alcaraz's win particularly significant?
Alcaraz was returning from a five-month break due to a serious wrist injury and was avenging a loss to Fritz at last year's Laver Cup in San Francisco — a defeat that proved pivotal in Team World winning that title. The win underlined his comeback fitness and competitive sharpness.
Who won the doubles match on Day 2 of the Laver Cup?
Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev won the doubles for Team Europe, defeating Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6(7). The victory gave Team Europe a 7-5 overall lead.
How does the Laver Cup scoring work heading into Day 3?
The Laver Cup awards points for each match win across three days, with point values increasing on Day 3. Team Europe's 7-5 lead means Team World must win more of the remaining higher-value matches to overturn the deficit and claim the trophy.
