13-5: Zverev, final hero of the Laver Cup, leaves Alcaraz and Jódar out of work
Alexander Zverev29 years old, world No. 2 and recent champion of the US Openhas been the final hero of the Laver Cup by achieving the definitive victory that has allowed Europe reconquer the title, the sixth in nine editions played to fulfill the role of favorites of the hosts this year in the O2 Arena London (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024, 2026).
Therefore, the German’s victory -7-6 (3), 6-3- over the American Learner Tien20 years old and 13th in the ranking, has already left the Spaniards without work Carlos Alcaraz and Rafa Jodarthe other two cartridges that the captain had in the chamber Yannick Noah to reconquer the title against Rest of the Worldwhich has three on its record (2022, 2023, 2025). Alcaraz-De Miñaur and Jódar-Fritz were the planned crossings if they had been necessary.
Zverev caused the only disturbing moment in the European team (3-5) on Saturday by failing against Alex De Minaur when he had victory in his pocket. However, the attempt of the team led by Andrew Agassiwhich did not achieve another point.
Still on Saturday, Alcaraz restored equality (5-5) by beating Taylor Fritz and Zverev himself made up for part of his previous fiasco by winning the double with Casper Ruudboth facing Bublik and Fritz. That 7-5 gave peace of mind for Sunday’s matches, the most valuable as each gave three points in the particular format of the Laver Cup.
In Sunday’s opening double, Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik surpassed De Minaur-Fritz (7-5, 6-3) and they laid out a red carpet for their teammates. With 10-5 on the scoreboard, Europe He had three top shots to lift the trophy (Zverev, Alcaraz, Jódar) and the first was already lethal for the Rest of the World (13-5).
The Laver Cup It is still an exhibition tournament, an idea promoted by Roger Federer to reissue in tennis the prestigious Ryder Cup golf. Obviously, there is no balance in that comparison, but the strength of competing for a team is becoming more and more felt among the players and everyone is making an effort and proudly celebrating their victories thinking about the collective.
Zverev, now with seven appearances under his belt, is the tennis player who has scored the most points in the history of the Laver Cup, 26 after his victory over Tien.
The German has won eight of 13 singles matches (20 points) and three of six in doubles (6). The American Jack Sock (20), retired, is the second and is already third on that list Alcaraz (18) despite having played only three times: the Murcian has three victories in four singles (8) and four in five doubles (6).
