Europe lead 7-5 into the decisive Sunday: De Minaur topples Zverev and Alcaraz exacts his revenge
The Australian came from behind to beat the US Open champion saving a match point (2-6, 7-6(5), 11-9), Alcaraz paid back San Francisco against Fritz in a 13-11 Laver Breaker, and Ruud-Zverev sealed Saturday with the doubles: Europe take a 7-5 lead into a Sunday worth three points per win, with the trophy on the line at The O2.
Redacción PalaComparer · · 4 min read
The ninth Laver Cup will be decided on Sunday at The O2 in London after a breathless Saturday left the score at 7-5 for Europe. The final day hands out three points per win and the first team to 13 takes the trophy: two wins would do for Europe, while Team World need at least three. Play opens at 12:00 in London (1:00 PM in Spain) with a doubles, match number 9, followed by three singles and an extra doubles only in the event of a 12-12 tie after the twelfth match. The line-ups were made public after Saturday's close (sources: lavercup.com, atptour.com, Laver Cup official channels).
Tien debuts in "lockdown mode": 6-3, 2-6, 10-7 over Cobolli
Debutant Learner Tien opened the day by coming from behind to beat Flavio Cobolli in the Laver Breaker (10-7) in what the organization described as "lockdown mode" — and, in passing, levelled the overall score at 3-3 minutes before things turned sour for Europe. The Italian, who plays with the HEAD Radical Pro family — its 2026 generation is in our catalog: Head Radical Pro 2026from 99,09 € —, had stretches of control but couldn't close it out.
The comeback of the tournament: De Minaur saves a match point and downs Zverev
Alex de Minaur produced the feat of Saturday: 2-6, 7-6(5), 11-9 over US Open champion Alexander Zverev, saving a match point in the Laver Breaker — the ATP Tour itself called it an "extraordinary comeback". With that win, Team World led 5-3 for the first time in the event. The Australian plays a Wilson Ultra Pro 99, a frame with no retail version — which is why you won't find it in our catalog.
Alcaraz answers back: saves match points and exacts his revenge (13-11)
Carlos Alcaraz paid back the punch Fritz landed in San Francisco 2025 (6-3, 6-2 during Team World's sweep): with the Babolat Pure Aero 98 (Gen 9)from 269,99 €, the Spaniard saved match points and settled the Laver Breaker 13-11 — the official recap was titled "Alcaraz exacts revenge in O2 thriller" — leaving Saturday at 2-2 in matches and the overall at 5-5. Fritz, with his HEAD Radical MP Auxeticfrom 188,95 €, was within a point of a second straight win over the Spaniard.
Ruud & Zverev seal the doubles: 6-4, 7-6(9)
The night doubles gave the lead back to Europe: Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev beat Bublik and Nakashima 6-4, 7-6(9), with the German redeeming himself hours after his singles defeat and playing with the Head Gravity Tour Zverev 2026from 228,95 € he used to lift the US Open. Alcaraz and Ruud, both 2-0, are the only undefeated players of the edition; Nakashima, with his Yonex VCORE 98 (8th gen)from 236,95 €, and Menšík, with the Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v10from 169,99 €, look set to be key pieces of the finale, along with Jódar — Head Speed MP 2026from 195,49 € — and Ruud, who plays the EZONE 100 and whose 98 sq-in sister, the Yonex EZONE 98 (8th gen)from 247,99 €, is in our catalog. On the other side, Team World chase something unprecedented: their only titles (London 2022 and San Francisco 2025) have never been back-to-back.
While tennis is decided in London, padel returns tomorrow with the Rotterdam P2 (September 28 – October 4), the first European stop of Premier Padel after the Paris Major.
