Daijiworld Media Network - San Francisco

San Francisco, Sep 21: In a commanding performance that defied the odds, Taylor Fritz defeated World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz for the first time in his career, delivering a crucial win for Team World at the Laver Cup in San Francisco. The American powered through with a straight-sets victory, 6-3, 6-2, giving his team a 7-3 lead over Team Europe.

Entering the match with a 0-3 head-to-head record against Alcaraz, Fritz wasted no time asserting control. Breaking the Spaniard in the fourth game, the World No. 5 capitalized on his momentum to take the first set. His aggressive yet composed play saw him convert 66% of first serves while keeping his unforced errors to just six—three fewer than Alcaraz.

The second set followed a similar pattern. Fritz broke in the fifth game to go up 3-2, then again two games later, ultimately closing the match with a sharp forehand volley at the net—one of 16 successful net points out of 20 attempts.

Fritz, who had previously lost to Alcaraz in Berlin last year during the Laver Cup, admitted that breaking past the mental block was key. “The three times I had played Carlos, he had broken me in the first game every time. Getting out of that first game was huge,” he said in a post-match interview. “I just made sure I did not second-guess myself.”

The electrifying match drew a star-studded audience, with tennis icon Roger Federer and NBA superstar Steph Curry making an appearance for the ceremonial coin toss, much to the delight of fans at the Chase Centre.

Reflecting on his strong performances at the Laver Cup, Fritz added, “I feel like I've always played some of my best tennis at Laver Cup. I love having the guys on the bench.”

The win marks not only a personal milestone for Fritz but also a major shift in Team World’s confidence as they push for back-to-back Laver Cup titles.