MADRID, 22 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The pair formed by the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and the Norwegian Casper Ruud have reduced the gap to Europe (8-7) in the Laver Cup, the tournament associated with the ATP that faces a team from the Old Continent against the rest of the world and that is played in the Uber Arena in Berlin, after winning the doubles against the Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe (6-2, 7-6(6)).
The Murcian, who beat Shelton (6-4, 6-4) on Saturday, had a nervous start alongside Ruud, in which they dismantled a break point from the American pair before breaking their serve. It was the start of five consecutive games won (5-1) that allowed them to get on track and win the first set in 37 minutes.
The tie in the second set, in which the Spanish-Norwegian duo missed three break points and did not have to face any, had to be resolved in the tie-break, where Europe managed to prevail in a tight fight (8-6) to confirm their victory in the match and go from 8-4 to 8-7.
With three singles matches remaining – which, like Sunday’s doubles, are worth three points each – the team that wants to win the trophy must win at least two of them. The first team to reach 13 points will take the Laver Cup.