Carlos Alcaraz/Casper Ruud score early points for Europe on the third day of the Laver Cup | ATP Tour

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Alcaraz/Ruud score crucial early points for Europe on the third day of the Laver Cup

Team World leads 8-7, Shelton next faces Medvedev in Berlin

22 September 2024

Carlos Alcaraz and a Casper Ruud hoping for redemption provided some excitement on Sunday on the last day of the Laver Cup in Berlin.

The duo defeated Team World's Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 7-6(6) in a thrilling doubles match at Uber Arena to bring Team Europe close to level in the team competition. Alcaraz and Ruud, the latter of whom suffered a heavy doubles loss alongside Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday night, prevailed after an hour and 40 minutes in a match that featured top-notch hitting from all four players.

Closing the gap 💪

Team Europe: 7️⃣
Team World: 8️⃣@carlosalcaraz/@CasperRuud98 defeat Shelton/Tiafoe 6:2, 7:6 (6).@LaverCup | #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/GoxHMxj1ho

— ATP Tour (@atptour) 22 September 2024

With three points up for grabs for each win on Laver Cup Sunday, Team Europe now trails Team World 7-8. Europe captain Björn Borg will be hoping Daniil Medvedev can continue his team's bid for a comeback triumph that would deny John McEnroe's Team World a third consecutive Laver Cup title. Medvedev, ranked No. 5 in the PIF ATP rankings, will face Shelton in the first singles match of the day.

“It was a bit humiliating last night. I felt like I had never played doubles before and honestly it was quite embarrassing,” Ruud said in his on-court interview. “So I went to bed. Carlos was keen to play. I don't understand why because what he saw yesterday wasn't the best, but I'm glad he had faith in me.”

“Carlos is such a great guy, it's so much fun to play with him and he got the best out of me today.”

One of the highlights of the match was a stunning touch volley from Alcaraz at 2-3, 30/0 in the second set. Interviewer Mark Petchey later repeated the shot for Alcaraz in his interview with the Spaniard.

“I just tried to make that shot and [once I did it]I felt so good, I won’t lie,” said Alcaraz. “In training, my coach Juan Carlos [Ferrero] always said to me: “When you go online, [hit the ball to the baseline]”I always said, 'I have to do it in training to be able to show it in the games.' When he looks at this shot, he might not tell me that anymore.”