7-5: Alcaraz, brilliant and epic, to the rescue of Europe after the Zverev fiasco

From more to less first, from less to more later, yes, intermittent, with many sparks of magic, also with failures, but a great Carlos Alcaraz has won an epic supertiebreak Taylor Fritz (6-3, 4-6, 13-11) to achieve a crucial victory and rescue Europe in the Laver Cup (5-5) after the previous fiasco of Alexander Zverevbeaten against the odds by Alex De Minaur after losing a match-ball, 2-6, 7-6 (5) and 11-9. Learner Tien had already leveled the score (3-3) by beating Flavio Cobolli6-3, 2-6 and 10-7.

By current ranking, Zverev (2nd) will be the No. 1 of the European team, but the natural leader is Alcaraz (3rd), whose figure, size and connection with people are unparalleled in world tennis.

The Murcian saved two match points against him, he took advantage of the third against the American and the European team catches its breath because, having lost Carlos in the O2 Arena Londonhe Rest of the World would have been 3-7 up before the double Ruud-Zverev they won Bublik-Nakashima (6-4, 7-6) to close the day with 7-5 on the scoreboard. The German thus partially compensated for the KO against De Minaur.

After Friday’s 3-1 after four games, the uniqueness of the Laver Cup is behind this score because each victory is worth one point on Friday, two on Saturday and three on Sunday, an essentially unfair format, but designed to maintain uncertainty about the final champion until the last day in a tournament that is still an exhibition open to this type of ideas. Whoever reaches 13 points will be the champion, so Europe is two wins away from reconquering the title.

Alcaraz made a splash on Friday, winning in doubles with Jakub Mensik and reappeared against Fritz in singles after his loss against Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals of the US Openhis return to the slopes after almost five months out due to a wrist injury.

In it grand slam New Yorker already offered a very recognizable version of his exceptional tennis and, although still lacking the rhythm and continuity that only competition provides, Carlos once again raised the spectators at the O2 Arena in London from their seats several times. In its splendor, Alcaraz’s tennis is pure magic, no one connects with the public like him.

The Spaniard broke the serve up to three times Fritz in the first set (6-3), but the American, always awake despite Carlos’ boasts, was ready to take advantage of any lapse from Alcaraz: A blank game for the rest gave Taylor the break (1-2) which he was able to defend until he scored the second set (4-6) and took the match to the super tiebreak of the third.

The Murcian started the tiebreaker wonderfully and took the lead (5-1) with an unattainable drop shot for his rival. However, in keeping with a certain irregularity in the afternoon, Alcaraz He also gave up two minibreaks (6-6) and the supertiebreak entered a phase of maximum survival and excitement.

With 9-7, the Spaniard had the first two match-balls, but Fritz He won three points in a row and placed himself on the threshold of victory (9-10). Virtue of the great champions, the Spaniard took his best shots out of his hat in that extreme situation (serve point) and then to neutralize the American’s second match point (10-11).

Alcaraz He scored the last three points of the match, the last with a drop shot that Fritz He could no longer lift over the net (13-11) to unleash euphoria on the European side. It is his sixth victory in seven meetings with the American, who achieved his only success last year precisely in the Laver Cup.

The exhibition and fun component of the Laver Cup It is diluted when the players watch the outcome and the tension increases on the field. The competition and the tennis players then become serious and strive hard for victory as if it were the ATP circuit.

Nobody likes to lose, least of all Alcaraz called to mark an era in the history of tennis, also in this duel between Europe and the Rest of the World: in just three appearances he has already equaled Roger Federer in points scored (18) and he is now only ahead of the first on the list in Europe, Zverev, with 23 and seven appearances after winning the double with Ruud. Carlos in the Rest of the World is only surpassed by Jack Sock (20).