Alcaraz beats Fritz 13-11 in tie-break to level Laver Cup at 5-5

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3, 4-6, 13-11 in the opening singles match of day two at the Laver Cup, tying the overall score at 5-5. The Spaniard saved two match points in the deciding super tie-break before clinching victory on his third match point with a drop shot that Fritz could not return.

Alcaraz dominated the winners count 42-20 despite committing 30 unforced errors to Fritz's nine. The victory came after Team World had taken a first lead of the tournament thanks to wins by Alex de Minaur over Alexander Zverev and Learner Tien over Flavio Cobolli earlier on Saturday.

“The drop shot is part of my game, so in those really tight, important moments I tried to use it because it was a very good weapon for me in this match.”

Team Europe captain Yannick Noah, along with legends Roger Federer and Andy Murray, watched from the stands as the O2 Arena crowd roared throughout the two-hour contest. Alcaraz said the drop shot is a natural part of his game and a weapon he has practised since childhood.

The final match of the day features Zverev and Casper Ruud facing Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima in doubles. With Sunday points worth three, the competition remains wide open heading into the final day.