Taylor Fritz created a bored mammoth on Saturday evening, descending to the world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz for the first time in his career and giving the team a big boost in Laver Cup.
From the currency the energy was visible, as NBA legend Steph Curry joined Roger Federer at the Center Court for a pre-section selfie, with both benches accumulated for the shooting. The buzz built only from there as Fritz submitted the performance of his life Laver Cup, competing the past Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 in just 71 minutes.
It was the first victory of Fritz’s career against Alcaraz and his first victory over a royal world No.1. The American saved both points of rest he faced and punished Alcaraz’s service, breaking three times falling only 13 points through his service games.
“I knew what to do before going out here tonight – the question was just as if I were able to do it,” Fritz said. “Getting out of that first game was big and then just played a lot of big points with conviction. I didn’t guess myself. I didn’t play very safe and played without fear.”
Captain Andre Agassi was a constant presence on the world team bench, keeping Fritz shot throughout the match. “We talked all day long and it was an honor to get to play under Andre,” Fritz said. “Both we really want to just leave our thoughts and talk about the game.”
Alcaraz, who had won 37 out of his previous 38 matches dating from Rome, had no response to Fritz’s fearless blow while Americans withdrew their last five games to seal a decisive victory and Push Team World ahead of 7-3.
It was a non -characteristic poor performance by the Spaniard. He never found his best tennis and was out of the mark with his predecessor and shocks to the ground as the match crashed quickly.
Fritz’s victory set the scene on Saturday night’s double clash, with Holger Rune and Team Europe Casper Ruud, they settled to face Alex Michelsen and Alex de minaur of Team World.
