Fritz stuns Alcaraz to turn tide for Team World in Laver Cup

Taylor Fritz stunned world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 to spark a momentum swing for Team World on day two of the Laver Cup in San Francisco. Alcaraz had been on a 13-match winning streak and had not played singles since winning the US Open earlier this month.

Fritz's victory marked his first win over a world No. 1 and came as Team World surged to a 9-3 lead after four matches were completed on Saturday. Fritz overpowered Alcaraz from the baseline, hitting 17 winners and five aces, while also showing sharp hands at the net, winning 16 of his 20 net points. The result also avenged last year’s Laver Cup defeat by Alcaraz, which had sealed the title for Team Europe.

On the day’s other singles, Australian Alex de Minaur defeated world No. 3 Alexander Zverev 6-1 6-4, delivering an early upset as Team World piled up straight-sets wins. Argentine Francisco Cerundolo then upset world No. 21 Holger Rune 6-3 7-6 (7-5). In doubles, World No. 8 De Minaur teamed with American Alex Michelsen to beat Casper Ruud and Rune 6-3 6-4, completing a clean sweep of day-two victories for Team World.

The three other results helped cement Team World’s momentum: those wins were part of a day-two schedule in which each match carried two points. With Europe having led 3-1 after Friday, Team World’s 9-3 advantage left them two wins shy of the 13-point target needed to claim the title. Still, Sunday’s format awards three points per win, so Team Europe can still mount a late rally if they win multiple matches. Europe have won five of the seven editions of the event.