The eighth edition of the Laver Cup, a three-day team event pitting six-top European players against their counterparts from the rest of the world, kicked off with electrifying energy under the leadership of new captains - Yannick Noah (Team Europe) and Andre Agassi (Team World). Team Europe, the defending champions after a 13-11 victory in Berlin in 2024, boasts a lineup led by Carlos Alcaraz, alongside Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, and Flavio Cobolli and Noah, replacing Bjorn Borg as captain. Team World, after withdrawals of Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe, fields a roster with Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Francisco Cerundolo, Fonseca, Michelsen, and Opelka. Agassi, succeeding John McEnroe, faces an uphill
battle as day one began with Norway’s Casper Ruud setting the tone for Team Europe, defeating Team World’s Reilly Opelka 6-4, 7-6(4).
Further, Team Europe took a 3-1 lead over Team World on the opening day of the Laver Cup 2025, held at the Chase Center in San Francisco, with world number one Carlos Alcaraz and debutant Jakub Mensik delivering a scintillating doubles victory to cap Friday’s action. The Spanish-Czech duo defeated Team World’s Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen 7-6(7), 6-4 in a thrilling night session, solidifying Europe’s dominance, while Brazil’s Joao Fonseca earned Team World’s lone point.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik showcased remarkable chemistry and dominated the sets
Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his US Open triumph and reclaiming the No. 1 ranking, partnered with 20-year-old Czech player Jakub Mensik for their first competitive doubles outing. Facing the American pair of Taylor Fritz, a Laver Cup veteran, and debutant Alex Michelsen, the European duo displayed remarkable chemistry. The first set was a serving masterclass, with no break points until 5-5, when Michelsen held firm. A tense tiebreaker followed, with Fritz earning a set point at 6-5, only to send a volley into the net. Alcaraz’s flair shone through with two highlight-reel shots, and Mensik sealed the 63-minute set with a volley winner and an unplayable return, clinching it 9-7. The second set saw Europe break Fritz’s serve in the final game, securing a straight-sets victory that sent the Chase Center crowd into a frenzy.
Mensik, who earlier in the day earned his first Laver Cup point in singles, was a standout. Facing Michelsen in the second match, the Czech, ranked World No. 16, cruised through the first set 6-1 before facing resistance in a second-set tiebreaker, which Michelsen took 7-3. A super tiebreak decided the match, with Mensik staying composed to win 10-8. The Laver Cup’s unique format, combining singles and doubles with escalating point values, ensures drama. Saturday’s schedule features three singles matches and one doubles, with Europe aiming to widen their lead and Team World seeking a comeback.
