Alcaraz, Mensik win doubles to put Europe 3-1 up after opening day of Laver Cup
Carlos Alcaraz and doubles partner Jakub Mensik gave Team Europe a 3-1 lead over Team World after the opening day of the Laver Cup on Friday.
Opening day of 2026 Laver Cup in London sees Team Europe move into 3-1 lead vs Team World; Casper Ruud, Rafael Jodar bank singles wins; Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik win doubles; Watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports Tennis
Carlos Alcaraz and doubles partner Jakub Mensik gave Team Europe a 3-1 lead over Team World after the opening day of the Laver Cup on Friday.
Alcaraz and Mensik beat Alexander Bublik and Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 in the final match of the day at the O2 Arena in London.
Rafael Jodar had broken a 1-1 deadlock after the day session by defeating Bublik 6-2 6-3 in the evening's singles match.
In the day session, Brandon Nakashima made the most of his Laver Cup debut by beating Mensik 6-1 3-6 10-7.
In the event's opener, Casper Ruud beat Francisco Cerundolo 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 10-8 to give Europe an early lead. There are four matches per day in the three-day event.
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The 16th-ranked Nakashima was a late addition to Andre Agassi's roster after US Open runner-up Ben Shelton withdrew last week.
Following the completion of the opening day, Alcaraz said: "I'm just trying to have fun in every place that I go and on every court that I play on.
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"I don't usually play doubles. I just try to enjoy and be better at things. I use doubles to try and improve my tennis, a couple of adjustments. Having a partner like Jakub, it's really easy to have fun on the court."
Wins are worth one point on Friday, two points on Saturday and three points on Sunday. The first team to reach 13 points wins.
Europe have won the Laver Cup five times while Team World won their third title in last year's edition of the Ryder Cup-style event.
Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App . Watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports.
