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Alcaraz beats Fritz to win thrilling Laver Cup for Team Europe

  • Posted: Sep 22, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz delivered a pair of stunning Sunday performances in Berlin to help Team Europe complete a thrilling 13-11 comeback victory at the Laver Cup.

The No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings defeated Taylor Fritz 6-2, 7-5 in a winner-takes-all singles clash to ensure Team Europe lifted the teams event trophy for the first time since 2021. Alcaraz, who earlier on Sunday partnered Casper Ruud to a crucial doubles victory against Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, had too much firepower from the baseline for his Top-10 rival Fritz.

Along with Ruud and Alexander Zverev, the latter of whom rallied past Frances Tiafoe 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-5 to force the deciding match, Alcaraz ensured that Bjorn Borg ended his seven-year stint as Team Europe captain with his fifth Laver Cup victory. Borg also led his men to victory at the first four editions of the event.

“It’s great. Obviously we came here with a goal, to win the Laver Cup,” said Alcaraz in his on-court interview. “We are very, very happy about reaching our goal. We almost lost, but Sascha came with really good tennis and gave me the chance to win.”

The Spaniard broke Fritz’s serve twice in each set en route to a 90-minute triumph at Uber Arena. After he sent down an unreturnable serve on match point, Alcaraz’s teammates swept onto court to celebrate with him and captain Borg.

“It’s always tough to play Team World at Laver Cup,” said Borg. “You’ve seen good tennis this week and I thought that we weren’t going to win it, but the guys played great tennis and we came through. For me to spend time with these players in Team Europe, it’s a lot of fun. We have a good team spirit and we gave everything. I’m very proud of my team.”

Despite defeat, Team World can look back on a valiant effort in Berlin where, like Borg, John McEnroe was also serving as captain for the seventh and final time. Up against a European team featuring five of the Top 10 players in the PIF ATP Rankings, it at one point stood just three games from victory when Tiafoe led Zverev by a set and a break in their singles encounter.

After Zverev turned that match around, however, Alcaraz came out firing to improve to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Fritz. The foundation of his victory was his serve, and he finished the match having won 80 per cent (33/41) of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Although he let slip a break lead in the second set as Fritz rallied from 2-4 to 4-4, Alcaraz earned his fourth break of the match in the 11th game with some razor-sharp returning. From there, he made no mistake in serving out to secure a famous win for Team Europe.

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Borg, McEnroe passing the torch to Agassi, Noah in new Laver Cup era

  • Posted: Sep 22, 2024

It was only fitting that Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe’s seventh and final Laver Cup as captains culminated in a nail-biting showdown, with Team Europe defeating Team World in a competition that came down to the final match — Carlos Alcaraz’s win against Taylor Fritz — on Sunday.

The intense finish mirrored the essence of their legendary rivalry on the tennis court, defined by high-stakes, dramatic twists and fierce competition.

However, their time as captains has come to an end, paving the way for a fresh duo to take the helm. Andre Agassi and Yannick Noah, both legends in their own right, will bring new energy and perspective to the tournament from 2025.

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With 60 singles titles to his name according to Infosys ATP Stats, including eight major trophies, Agassi is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation. The former World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings also won the Davis Cup on three occasions with the United States as well as a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

While Noah does not boast the same numbers as Agassi, he was a standout player on the ATP Tour for many years, reaching a career-high No. 4. His most memorable achievement came at Roland Garros in 1983 when he became the first Frenchman to win his home major in 37 years.

The 64-year-old forayed seamlessly into coaching upon retirement, captaining his country to Davis Cup glory in 1991, 1996 and 2017, making him a perfect fit for his new role with Team Europe. Noah’s infectious energy and enthusiasm is something that his new team will benefit from.

Although it is hard to match the rivalry between Borg and McEnroe that transcended their generation, Agassi and Noah did meet on two occasions in 1989, with their Lexus ATP Head2Head record level at 1-1.

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History in Hangzhou! Zhang, Buyunchaokete seal first all-Chinese SF

  • Posted: Sep 22, 2024

Zhang Zhizhen sealed Chinese history again on Sunday at the Hangzhou Open.

With his 6-3, 6-3 win against Roberto Carballes Baena, the sixth seed set the first all-Chinese tour-level semi-final in the Open Era. He will face wild card Buyunchaokete for a place in the final.

“First of all, I’m super happy that he won that match today and, really, congratulations to him,” Zhang said in his on-court interview. “It’s really not easy for us. Me and Shang [Juncheng] and Bu now, three of us, we’re stepping in the Top 100. That’s really good for the history for the China. It doesn’t matter who wins tomorrow. It will be one Chinese guy in the final anyway.”

Entering the week, Buyunchaokete had only played one ATP Tour main draw in his career, reaching the second round in Shanghai last year. But the 22-year-old stunned second seed Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals and on Sunday ousted the resurgent Mikhail Kukushkin 6-4, 6-2.

Buyunchaokete, who saved three of the four break points he faced against Kukushkin according to Infosys ATP Stats, is in the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Live Rankings for the first time at World No. 96.

“It’s a really, really, really good feeling right now,” Buyunchaokete said. “Maybe it’s the best moment for me in my career in the ATP, so I just need to enjoy and show all my best tennis [at] home here with my fans, my team and also a lot of my friends are here. So I just need to enjoy and that’s it.”

The clash between Zhang and Buyunchaokete will be just the fourth all-Chinese matchup at a tour-level event in the Open Era. The previous three were first-round encounters between wild cards. #NextGenATP star Shang Juncheng has also advanced to the semi-finals in Chengdu and last year, Wu Yibing triumphed in Dallas to become the first ATP Tour titlist from China.

“I just focus on my job. These guys are doing better than me on the Tour. They already have some semi-finals and a final on the Tour, but I feel it’s not a surprise,” Buyunchaokete said. “I feel it’s a really normal thing. I mean Triple Z and Jerry [Shang], they have a really good team and they are doing well on the Tour. It’s an amazing week for me at home here, playing a semi.”

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#NextGenATP Shang upsets Bublik for Chengdu SF spot

  • Posted: Sep 22, 2024

Can Shang Juncheng ride home support all the way to his maiden ATP Tour title at the Chengdu Open?

The #NextGenATP star notched a 6-4, 7-6(8) upset against second seed Alexander Bublik on Sunday to reach the semi-finals at the hard-court ATP 250. Shang, the 19-year-old rising star of Chinese tennis, saved a set point at 6/7 in the second-set tie-break before wrapping a one-hour, 51-minute triumph against the World No. 27.

“I guess Alex is always tricky, always a tough battle,” said Shang. “He can serve anywhere. He can put the drop shots anywhere, and overall he’s an amazing player. His past results show that he can win titles, and we’ve played tough matches against each other. I’m just super happy to be in the semis. [It is] my first time here in Chengdu, playing so well.”

Shang, who also defeated Bublik in the first round at the US Open last month, now leads the Kazakhstani 2-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. With his quarter-final victory, the home favourite consolidated his position in third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. Shang is bidding for a debut appearance at the season-ending Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

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His opponent in his third tour-level semi-final on Monday in Chengdu will be Yannick Hanfmann, who defeated fourth seed Pedro Martinez 7-6(1), 6-2 to reach his eighth ATP Tour semi-final. The German hit 26 winners to improve his Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Spain’s Martinez to 2-1.

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Alcaraz/Ruud earn crucial early points for Europe on Laver Cup Day 3

  • Posted: Sep 22, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz and a redemption-seeking Casper Ruud injected some early intrigue into the final day of Laver Cup action on Sunday in Berlin.

The duo overcame Team World’s Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 7-6(6) in a thrilling doubles encounter at Uber Arena to haul Team Europe close to parity at the teams event. Alcaraz and Ruud, the latter of whom had struggled in a heavy doubles defeat alongside Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday evening, prevailed after one hour, 40 minutes in an encounter packed with top-class shotmaking from all four players.

With three points available for each match win on Laver Cup Sunday, Team Europe now trails Team World 7-8. Europe captain Bjorn Borg will hope Daniil Medvedev can continue his team’s bid for a comeback triumph, one which would deny John McEnroe’s Team World a third consecutive Laver Cup title. The No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings Medvedev takes on Shelton in the opening singles match of the day.

“It was a bit humiliating last night. I felt like I’d never played doubles before and it was quite embarrassing, honestly,” said Ruud in his on-court interview. “So I went to bed. Carlos was eager to play. I don’t understand why, because what he saw yesterday was not the best, but I’m happy that he had faith in me.

“Carlos is such a great guy, so fun to play with, and he brought out the best in me today.”

One of the highlights of the match was a stunning angled touch volley from Alcaraz at 2-3, 30/0 in the second set. On-court interviewer Mark Petchey later replayed the shot for Alcaraz in the Spaniard’s on-court interview.

“I just tried to do that shot, and [once I did it], I felt so good, I’m not going to lie,” said Alcaraz. “In practice my coach Juan Carlos [Ferrero] used to say to me, ‘If you go to the net, [hit the ball to the baseline]’. I used to say, ‘I have to do it in practice in order to show it in the matches’. Maybe if he watches that shot, he won’t tell me that anymore.”

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Cilic saves MPs against Uchiyama, advances to Hangzhou SFs

  • Posted: Sep 22, 2024

Can Marin Cilic complete his fairytale comeback to the ATP Tour following his return from injury?

Former US Open champion Cilic came back from the brink of defeat, saving two match points to survive Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-6(5) Sunday to advance to the semi-finals at the Hangzhou Open.

The Croatian was serving at 5-6, 15/40 down in the final set, but rallied to win the match in a tie-break and down Uchiyama, who upset top seed Holger Rune on Saturday. The 35-year-old Cilic also saved eight of the nine break point chances against him to seal his 67th Tour-level semi-final in his career and take his Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Uchiyama to 2-0.

Cilic is playing as a wild card in his first ATP Tour event since Buenos Aires in February, after he was sidelined with a knee injury for several months. Progressing to the semi-finals means that Cilic is now one step closer to attaining a 21st ATP Tour title and completing a perfect comeback.

“I think today’s match was a really great level from both of us,” Cilic said in his post-match interview. “In the second set he played really great, was serving great under pressure and served great until the end of the match.

“For me, it was an amazing comeback, great to win that game at 5-3 when he was serving for the match and definitely thrilled with the win.”

The former No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings will meet fourth seed Brandon Nakashima in the semi-finals. Nakashima battled past Australian Rinky Hijikata, winning 7-5, 6-3 to reach his sixth ATP Tour semi-final.

The American, who is at a career high No. 39 in the PIF ATP Rankings, converted all three of his break point opportunities to close out the match in 89 minutes. Nakashima also won 81 per cent of his first-serve points, according to Infosys ATP Stats, to extend his Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Hijikata to 2-0.

“[It was a] very close match, I got off to a little bit of a slow start and went down an early break,” Nakashima said after the match. “But I picked my level up when I needed it most in the first set and managed to ride the wave a bit and build some confidence”.

Home hope Buyunchaokete advanced to his maiden ATP Tour semi-final with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Mikhail Kukushkin.

The Chinese wild card hit 17 winners to claim victory in one hour, 23 minutes. The 22-year-old also converted four of his seven break points to become the fifth Chinese player to reach the last four in an ATP Tour event.

The World No. 124 will face either compatriot Zhizhen Zhang or Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in the semi-finals.

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Musetti battles past Mannarino, advances to Chengdu SFs

  • Posted: Sep 22, 2024

Top seed Lorenzo Musetti overcame Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 on Sunday to advance to the semi-finals at the Chengdu Open.

The Italian, who was a semi-finalist last year in Chengdu, struck 23 winners to take his Lexus ATP Head2Head record against the Frenchman to 1-1. The No. 19 in the PIF ATP Rankings also saved three of the four break points against him to close out the match in two hours, 16 minutes.

The 22-year-old Musetti recorded a personal best 35th win of the season. He has reached a sixth semi-final in his last eight events.

“I think today was a really great match from both players, he [Mannarino] raised the level the second set and he was starting to serve better and giving me less chances to break him and go forward,” Musetti said in his post-match interview. “So I had to be really focused each point to make it happen and at 2-2 [in the final set] when I made the break, that was the key moment that probably changed the match.”

Musetti will next face qualifier Alibek Kachmazov in the semi-finals.

Kachmazov upset third seed Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 6-4 to record the biggest win of his career and advance to his maiden Tour-level semi-final.

The No. 252 in the PIF ATP Rankings lost just one point on serve in the match, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He is the lowest-ranked semi-finalist in tournament history.

“I’m playing very good, very solid this week. So I’m hoping I can continue this way,” Kachmazov said after the match. “Today was a little bit better, it was a little bit easier to play long rallies and just a perfect day again.

“It’s an amazing week here for me already but I hope not to stop and not to think about it too much, and just continue to play”.

 

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How it feels to have Alcaraz on your side: Team Europe stars weigh in!

  • Posted: Sep 21, 2024

Most weeks of the year, Carlos Alcaraz’s ATP Tour rivals are focused on how they might defeat him on some of the biggest stages in tennis. This week at the Laver Cup, some of those same rivals are discovering what it is like to have the Spaniard’s sublime talent on their own side for once.

On his singles debut at the teams event on Saturday in Berlin, Alcaraz downed Ben Shelton in straight sets to earn two crucial points for Team Europe. As his teammates supported from courtside, the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings gave them a reminder of why he is such a tough opponent.

One of those watching from the Team Europe bench was Casper Ruud, who is yet to notch a win in four Lexus ATP Head2Head clashes against Alcaraz, including in the 2022 US Open final.

“I’m happy to have him on my team, that’s for sure,” Ruud told ATPTour.com prior to Alcaraz’s match against Shelton. “He’s an incredible player, so I’d rather have him on my team than against me. It’s cool. He’s going to come out explosively, as always, to hopefully get some important wins for Team Europe. We all know how great he is and it’s his debut so I’m sure he would like to do well.”

Alcaraz is lining up alongside fellow former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, World No. 2 Alexander Zverev, 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov, and former Grand Slam finalists Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas for Team Europe this year. A stellar cast, yet the presence of the Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion has made a clear impact to his team’s spirits.

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Competing in his fourth Laver Cup in Berlin, Tsitsipas is a relative veteran at the annual teams event compared to debutant Alcaraz. The Greek only had good things to say about the latest addition to Team Europe.

“I think he’s having a lot of fun. I think he enjoys the format,” said Tsitsipas of four-time major champion Alcaraz. “These are the rare occasions where you can have a teammate like that. Having the opportunity to be on the same side and strive for the same result and for the same accomplishment, that is something I would have never thought of. That is what makes the Laver Cup stand out, and I’m definitely loving it so far.”

Bjorn Borg is captaining Team Europe for the seventh and final time in Berlin. The legendary Swede could hardly have asked for a bigger weapon in his armoury as he plots his team’s bid for a first Laver Cup title since 2021.

“I am so excited to have all these guys in my team, and to have Carlos for the first time is exciting,” said Borg. “People are excited, and hopefully he’s going to win a few matches.”

So how did Alcaraz himself adjust to the unique dynamic of his ATP Tour rivals cheering him on Saturday against Shelton?

“It was fun. Honestly it was a great feeling having them supporting me behind, being like coaches,” the Spaniard told ATPTour.com after his 6-4, 6-4 triumph. “Having Bjorn on the bench as well, it is a great support for me. Normally I watch my team after every point. Here I’m looking at my partners and Bjorn [instead of] my team. So it is a different feeling.

“For me it was unique experience that I enjoyed a lot. Having, for example, Grigor [Dimitrov] all the time coaching me, telling me the tactics that I have to do during the match, it was crazy. Having Stefanos and all the players behind me in all the break times, it was great for me. I’m going to take this experience for a long time, and I honestly learn a lot from them as well.”

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Fritz extends winning streak vs. Zverev at Laver Cup

  • Posted: Sep 21, 2024

Is Taylor Fritz set for a late-season surge that takes him all the way to the Nitto ATP Finals?

The Team World star on Saturday notched his seventh victory against a Top 10 opponent in 2024 by overcoming Team Europe’s Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-5 at the Laver Cup. Fritz rallied from 2-4 down in the second set before securing a one-hour, 57-minute win, his third consecutive tour-level triumph against the German, to set Team World on course to opening an 8-4 lead after Day 2 in Berlin.

“I think over the years we have always had close matches,” said Fritz in his post-match press conference of his rivalry with Zverev. “I think the games match up well. I can serve and hang in there with my serve, because he’s very tough to break. You have to have a good serve to stay in the match with him or else he’s just going to serve you out of the match.

“His backhand is incredibly good. I think my backhand is my stronger side, too, so I feel like maybe I can neutralise and hang with him on that side where maybe some people wouldn’t be able to stay in a pattern. But the biggest thing is I have just been playing well.”

The 26-year-old Fritz arrived in Germany off the back of reaching his maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open, where he defeated Zverev in four sets in the quarter-finals. Having also prevailed in the pair’s fourth-round clash at Wimbledon in July, he now leads the German 6-5 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

Fritz fired a series of searing winners from deep to overcome Zverev on home soil in Berlin, where Team World and its captain John McEnroe are chasing a third successive victory at the teams event. Although Zverev channelled home support to move a break ahead in the second set, he was unable to maintain his charge as Fritz secured a victory in which he fired 27 winners to his opponent’s 11.

Although no PIF ATP Rankings points are available this week at the Laver Cup, where Fritz is competing as the World No. 7, Saturday evening’s victory against home favourite Zverev at Uber Arena was another reminder of the momentum the American has built heading into the final two months of the season. He is fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin as he chases a second appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals.

Ben Shelton and Alejandro Tabilo built impressively on Fritz’s momentum for Team World by notching a comfortable doubles victory against Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final match of the day. The pair eased to a 6-1, 6-2 triumph to open up an 8-4 lead for John McEnroe’s men as they head into Day 3, when four matches worth three points each are on the schedule.

“We put [Shelton and Tabilo] together and they stepped up big time,” said Team World captain McEnroe in his on-court interview. “We’ve had a great day and we’re pumped for tomorrow.

“We need two wins, and I think we’re going to come out tomorrow in the doubles guns blazing. I like our chances, and hopefully if we win that, we need one out of three [singles matches]. Team Europe are great, three of the top four players in the world are in Team Europe, so we know we’ve got our hands full, but we are totally psyched for tomorrow.”

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