Team Europe made a strong start to the 2025 Laver Cup in San Francisco, racing to a 3-1 lead over Team World on Day 1, thanks in large part to a standout performance from Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles. Fresh off his U.S. Open win and having reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking, Alcaraz paired with Czech rookie Jakub Mensik to secure the nightcap doubles match, giving Europe valuable momentum.
The day opened with Casper Ruud setting the tone, edging out Reilly Opelka in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(4) to claim the first point for Europe. Mensik followed, defeating Alex Michelsen in singles 6-1, 7-6(3), 10-8.
Team World responded with some toughness when 19-year-old João Fonseca made his Laver Cup debut memorable. He came back from an early deficit to beat Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 6-3, injecting hope into the World team and preventing Europe from running away with a clean sweep.
But the highlight of the evening was the doubles between Europe’s Alcaraz/Mensik and World’s Taylor Fritz/Alex Michelsen. In a tightly contested match, Europe held off a set point in the first set tiebreak, then broke in the 10th game of the second set to seal a 7-6(7), 6-4 win.
Alcaraz produced moments of magic, from the baseline and at the net. Mensik played a more aggressive power game, and together they complemented each other, maintaining composure under pressure. They did not face a break point in the match, which underlines how solid their performance was.
For Europe, that doubles win means finishing Day 1 with a lead is more than just points—it’s about setting the tone. With matches worth increasing values over the next two days, getting off to this kind of start matters.
From a broader view, Alcaraz coming in with confidence is key. He’s arrived after a major title, top ranking, and seems keen to contribute wherever needed. His ease with pressure, especially in a team format like this, earns praise. Mensik, having also won his earlier singles match, makes his debut look very promising.
On Team World’s side, Fonseca’s performance was a bright spot. His aggressive play, resilience when under pressure, and ability to seize momentum gave them something to build on. But the doubles loss underscores that Europe still holds the upper hand right now.
Looking ahead, Team Europe will try to carry this lead into Saturday, where matches are worth more points. Team World will need to respond quickly to stay in contention. If Europe can maintain form — especially in doubles where coordination and momentum matter — they could put themselves in a very strong position.
