Fritz, Shelton bring Team World level at 2-2 with Europe after day one at Laver Cup
The Americans were a cut above in the doubles to give their team momentum going into day two in Berlin
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Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton showed off their superior doubles skills on Friday as they beat Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 to bring Team World level at 2-2 with Team Europe after an enthralling opening day of the Laver Cup in Berlin.
Alcaraz, making his Laver Cup debut, and Zverev, fought hard, especially in the first set, but the American pair were the more cohesive throughout and held their nerve when they needed to get the job done.
Shelton, who hit six aces, served out for victory to make it all square after day one.
“We both served really well under pressure, Ben served incredibly well, I didn’t have to hit any volleys,” Fritz said. “Coming out even I think we’re looking good for the next two days.”
Francisco Cerundolo had given Team World a shock lead with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Casper Ruud in the opener but Stefanos Tsitsipas levelled the match for Team Europe with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Thanasi Kokkinakis and then Grigor Dimitrov rallied from 5-1 down in the second set to beat Alejandro Tabilof oc Chile 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2).
And though Alcaraz and Zverev battled hard, recovering an early break in the opening set, Fritz and Shelton always seemed to have the edge, especially on serve.
After the Americans took the first set on the tiebreak, they got the crucial break in the ninth game, this time on the Zverev serve, and Shelton then saw things through.
Team World Confident going into day two
Shelton said he and Fritz enjoyed themselves so much they might even play together at some stage on Tour.
“I was just having fun out there. Makes life pretty easy when you’re playing with a guy who’s moving like Taylor. It was our first time playing together but I think we had good chemistry out there. 2-2 I feel confident going into day two.”
All the matches on day one were worth one point apiece. Matches on day two offer two points to the winners and on the final day, each win will be worth three points.
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