Team Europe takes 3-1 lead over Team World on opening day of Laver Cup in London
Team Europe secured a 3-1 advantage over Team World on Friday at London's O2 Arena following singles wins by Casper Ruud and Rafael Jodar and a doubles victory by Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik.
Opening singles split the day session
Team Europe opened the ninth edition of the Laver Cup at London's O2 Arena with a hard-fought win before Team World answered in the afternoon. Casper Ruud delivered the first point for Europe by defeating Francisco Cerundolo 6-7(4), 6-4, 10-8 in a deciding match tiebreak. The result balanced the head-to-head record between the two players at five wins each across ten tour meetings. Ruud recovered from losing a first-set tiebreak after receiving courtside tactical input from teammate Carlos Alcaraz. Ruud acknowledged the bench support immediately after securing the final point.
I have to thank my team and my bench. They pushed me all the way. They kept me in it, really... Europe can build on this.
Team World evened the overall score at 1-1 during the second singles match when Brandon Nakashima defeated Jakub Mensik 6-1, 3-6, 10-7. Nakashima entered the lineup as a late replacement on captain Andre Agassi's roster after US Open finalist Ben Shelton withdrew. The world number 16 dominated the opening set with two service breaks before Mensik responded in the second set to force a 10-point tiebreak. Nakashima won three consecutive points at the finish to seal victory on his tournament debut.
This guy... I'm not convinced he's real. I think he's AI. He just goes about his business point after point after point.
Evening rubbers extend European advantage
Europe regained control during Friday's evening session behind a strong singles performance from Rafael Jodar. The Spanish debutant defeated Alexander Bublik 6-2, 6-3, converting early break opportunities in both sets to avoid a deciding tiebreak. The final match of the day paired Carlos Alcaraz with Mensik against Bublik and Taylor Fritz in doubles. Alcaraz and Mensik achieved one break of serve per set to capture a 6-4, 6-4 win across 87 minutes of play. The doubles victory established a 3-1 overall lead for Team Europe before a crowd that included Roger Federer and Rod Laver.
- Casper Ruud beats Francisco Cerundolo 6-7(4), 6-4, 10-8
- Brandon Nakashima beats Jakub Mensik 6-1, 3-6, 10-7
- Rafael Jodar beats Alexander Bublik 6-2, 6-3
- Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik beat Taylor Fritz and Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-4
Alcaraz steps into active leadership role
The London tournament represents the second competitive event for Alcaraz since returning from a four-and-a-half-month absence due to a right wrist injury. The world number three was sidelined from April to August, missing tournaments at Queen's Club and Wimbledon before returning at the US Open. Alcaraz assisted European captain Yannick Noah and vice-captain Tim Henman by offering tactical adjustments to teammates during matches. Mensik reflected positively on playing doubles alongside the seven-time major winner.
For Carlos, it doesn't matter if he plays singles or doubles, I think he could be world number one even in doubles!
Points structure and remaining schedule
The three-day team format awards one point per win on Friday, two points per win on Saturday, and three points per win on Sunday. The first team to accumulate 13 points secures the tournament title. Europe holds five lifetime victories in the event, while Team World won the competition in 2022, 2023, and 2025. Captains will adjust pairings for Saturday, with reigning French and US Open champion Alexander Zverev available for Europe after resting on Friday. Team World retains Peruvian alternate Ignacio Buse on standby in the event of further roster changes.
- Team Europe
- 5 titles
- Team World
- 3 titles
