Taylor Fritz Defeats Carlos Alcaraz at Laver Cup, Team World Leads 7-3

SAN FRANCISCO, California — Taylor Fritz finally broke through against world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday night at the Laver Cup, notching a convincing victory of 6-3, 6-2. This win gives Team World a 7-3 advantage in the competition.

Fritz’s victory came as a remarkable turnaround, given he had lost to Alcaraz in their three previous encounters, including a tight match at the 2023 Wimbledon semifinals. “I knew what I had to do,” Fritz said. “The question was if I was going to be able to do it.” He achieved his goal by breaking Alcaraz early in the first set and maintaining momentum throughout the match.

The match took place in front of a raucous San Francisco crowd, including NBA star Steph Curry and tennis legend Roger Federer. Fritz capitalized on the support, combining powerful baseline shots with an aggressive net game to win 16 of 20 net points and finish with 17 winners and five aces.

“What really does it for me is how I played,” Fritz commented, highlighting his performance over just the win itself. “I played with no fear on the big points.” This victory is particularly meaningful for the 27-year-old, marking his first win against a reigning No. 1.

Alcaraz, unable to find his usual rhythm, was playing his first singles match since winning the U.S. Open earlier this month. He acknowledged Fritz’s skill, saying, “He played some great tennis. I feel like he was more on the court than me.”

The night began with Fritz defeating Alcaraz, and earlier in the day, Team World tallied victories over Alexander Zverev and Francisco Cerundolo, which set the stage for this decisive match. Fritz’s victory sends a strong message heading into the final day of competition, with Team World on the verge of retaining the Laver Cup title.