Team Europe started strong with victories from Casper Ruud and Jakub Mensik in the first two singles matches at Chase Center, home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
Norwegian player Ruud secured Europe’s first point with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over big-serving American Reilly Opelka. This marked Ruud’s fifth consecutive victory against Opelka, improving his Laver Cup singles record to 4-1.
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“I was in the same position last year and lost the opening match, so it’s good to get some revenge and start strong for Europe,” Ruud said.
Mensik overcame a late setback to defeat Michelsen 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 10-8. The Czech player was broken while serving
for the match in the second set’s ninth game. However, after losing the second-set tiebreaker, he regrouped to win the 10-point match tiebreaker.
This set the stage for Laver Cup newcomer Joao Fonseca of Brazil to seek Team World’s first point against Italian Flavio Cobolli in the night session opener. At 19, Fonseca will be the youngest player to compete in the Laver Cup.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz says he is rested and recharged after his US Open triumph and is eager to help Team Europe retain the Laver Cup. The Spaniard will enter the competition on Friday night, playing doubles with Czech Jakub Mensik against Team World’s American duo of Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen.
“I have enough energy to perform well here in the Laver Cup,” Alcaraz said.
Europe has won five of the first seven editions, though Team World claimed victory the last time the competition co-created by Swiss great Roger Federer was held in North America, in Vancouver in 2023.
There have been some changes since Alcaraz sealed Europe’s win in Berlin last year. France’s Yannick Noah has replaced Bjorn Borg as captain of Team Europe, while American Andre Agassi has succeeded John McEnroe as captain of Team World.
Friday’s matches are worth one point each. Saturday’s schedule includes three singles and one doubles match, all worth two points each. Sunday’s schedule begins with doubles, followed by three singles matches if needed, all worth three points each. The first team to reach 13 points wins the cup.
