A year after Fritz humbled Alcaraz at Laver Cup San Francisco, a pivotal result that helped push Team World over the top, Alcaraz got his revenge as the 23-year-old Spaniard downed the American in a classic, 6-3, 4-6, 13-11, levelling the Day 2 team score at 5-5.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Facing one of the tour\u2019s biggest servers, Alcaraz opened the match with a break when he sent a picture-perfect lob beyond Fritz\u2019s reach. With his 28-year-old foe serving to stay in the first set at 3-5, 15-40.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Alcaraz dug himself a 0-40 hole at 1-all in the second, and Fritz pounced on the opportunity. The Californian would later serve it out at 5-4, forcing yet another 10-point tiebreak.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Back on tour after a five-month layoff due to a serious wrist injury, seven-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz raced ahead 5-1, flashing his drop-shot prowess and all-court speed. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Fritz held his ground and would fight back and set up a pair of match-point opportunities at 10-9 and 11-10, only to have them erased. Then, on his own third match point at 12-11, Alcaraz sealed the one-hour, 50-minute thriller with, fittingly, another drop shot.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Every time I smile, it feels like I\u2019m having fun and I\u2019m relaxed,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen that time comes, it\u2019s when I play my best tennis. It\u2019s important to accept the moment, even if it\u2019s break point down or 6-all in the tiebreak. You have to accept those moments,\" Alcaraz said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Later, Ruud and Zverev teamed up to give host Team Europe a 7-5 advantage with a 6-4, 7-6(7) doubles victory over Team World\u2019s Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Every time I smile, it feels like I\u2019m having fun and I\u2019m relaxed,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen that time comes, it\u2019s when I play my best tennis. It\u2019s important to accept the moment, even if it\u2019s break point down or 6-all in the tiebreak. You have to accept those moments,\" Alcaraz said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m very happy with the team effort,\u201d Zverev added. \u201cCarlos kicked it off with probably the most important win of the weekend. I\u2019m very happy we finished the day with a win as well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n