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Alcaraz helps Team Europe take 3-1 Laver Cup lead

World No.

Alcaraz helps Team Europe take 3-1 Laver Cup lead
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3 is competing in his second tournament after the US OpenTeam Europe took a 3-1 lead over defending champions Team World ​on the opening day of the Laver Cup on Friday, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik closing out ‌the night with a straight sets doubles victory at The O2.World No.

3 Alcaraz, competing in his second tournament after the US Open following a four-month injury layoff, joined Mensik to beat Alexander Bublik and Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4.The Spaniard and Czech, who also partnered at last year's Laver Cup in San Francisco, fended off ​three early break points before Alcaraz found his range and fired an overhead smash to secure the first break.They ​broke again early in the second set and….

I just try to enjoy and be better at things.

I use ​doubles to try and improve my tennis, a couple of adjustments.

Having a partner like Jakub, it's really easy to have fun on the court."The victory gave Europe three points from Friday's four matches, after Norwegian Casper Ruud got them off to a winning start by edging Francisco Cerundolo 6-7(4) 6-4 ​10-8.Brandon Nakashima levelled the contest for Team World by beating Mensik 6-1 3-6 10-7, before Rafael Jodar restored Europe's lead with ​a commanding 6-2 6-3 victory over Alexander Bublik in….

"It's a pleasure to see them watching these types of matches."Earlier on Friday, Ruud and Cerundolo were locked in a tight opening set, with neither player able to break before the Argentine edged the tiebreak 7-4.Ruud responded by breaking for a ​5-4 lead in the second ​set which he claimed before forcing the ⁠match tiebreak, where the Norwegian held his nerve after the players traded points until 8-8."I have to….

They kept me in ​it, really …

Europe can build on this," Ruud said.Nakashima then produced a composed performance on his ​Laver Cup debut, ⁠racing to a 5-0 lead against Mensik before the Czech fought back to take the second set, leaving the American to wrap up victory in the match tiebreak."This guy…

I'm not convinced he's real.

I think he's AI," Team World captain Andre Agassi said, praising Nakashima's ability ⁠to stay ​calm under pressure.

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