Taylor Fritz delivered a standout upset at the Laver Cup in San Francisco, defeating new world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 and completing a perfect Saturday for Team World. The result marked Fritz’s first win over Alcaraz in four meetings and his first victory against a reigning No. 1.
Fritz’s Impressive Performance
The American set the tone with assertive baseline play and frequent forays to the net, winning 16 of 20 points there and sealing the match with a forehand volley. He erased both break points he faced, both in the opening game, and swept the final four games to finish the job. The night featured a lively atmosphere, heightened when Stephen Curry joined Roger Federer for the pre-match coin toss.
Fritz had fallen to Alcaraz in a tight four-set Wimbledon semi-final in July and lost to him in straight sets at last year’s Laver Cup in Berlin. Alcaraz was playing his first singles match since winning his sixth major at the US Open and returning to No. 1, a defeat that ended a 13-match winning run dating back to his title surge in Cincinnati.
Earlier on Saturday, Alex de Minaur beat Alexander Zverev and Francisco Cerundolo edged Holger Rune, with each win worth two points. Fritz’s victory pushed Team World ahead 7-3 in the race to 13.
The late session kept the momentum going as de Minaur and Alex Michelsen defeated Rune and Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-4 to stretch the lead to 9-3. Team World won all four of Saturday’s matches in straight sets. Michelsen, who had partnered Fritz in a loss to Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik on Friday, did not face a break point with de Minaur in the doubles. With Sunday’s four matches worth three points each, Team World needs just two more wins to clinch the Laver Cup.