Alcaraz saves two match points to put Europe ahead

Carlos Alcaraz beat Taylor Fritz in a match tiebreak on Saturday to give Team Europe a 7-5 lead over Team World heading into the final day of the Laver Cup in London. Alcaraz saved two match points before winning 6-3, 4-6, 13-11, according to match reports. The victory came after Team World had won the first two singles matches of Saturday’s session, putting Europe under pressure. Alcaraz took the opening set, but Fritz levelled the match and then moved close to victory in the deciding tiebreak. Alcaraz held on, with a drop shot helping him secure the win. The result gave Europe two points and kept the team in front after Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev later won their doubles match. Alcaraz said after the match that advice from Ruud helped him settle during the tiebreak. Ruud told him, from the team bench, to stay calmer, avoid trying to hit every shot aggressively and play patiently. Alcaraz said the bench had a different view of the match and that the guidance helped him get back into a rhythm. The Spaniard also said he had taken nearly a week away from his racket after the US Open and was gradually returning to his usual tennis and physical rhythm.