Alcaraz dazzles as Team Europe take 3-1 lead in Laver Cup

Defending champions Team Europe stormed out of the gates on the opening day of the Laver Cup in San Francisco on Friday, winning three of four matches to take a handy lead over Team World with Carlos Alcaraz sparkling in doubles action.

Alcaraz, who reclaimed the world number one singles ranking following his US Open triumph this month, partnered with Czech Jakub Mensik and led Team Europe to a 7-6(7) 6-4 win over Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen in the final match of the day.

"I think that it gives you more opportunities to make great shots, great volleys," Alcaraz said about playing doubles.

"But doubles is not just about one player. It was a team (effort) with a great player in Jakub. He has great skills in points throughout and made me comfortable on the court."

MAGICAL MOMENTS

Competing in his first tournament since capturing his sixth Grand Slam title, Alcaraz produced moments of magic from the net and the baseline while Mensik brought the power as they grabbed a decisive break in the 10th game of the second set to prevail.

The three-day Laver Cup, viewed as tennis' answer to golf's Ryder Cup, offers fans a rare opportunity to see the sport's top players team up, with the first side to reach 13 points from a total of 24 available declared champions.

As in previous editions, match victories on the opening day are worth a point each, with two points awarded for wins on the second day and the stakes getting higher with three points each on the final day of action on Sunday.

Norwegian Casper Ruud landed the first blow for Team Europe at the Chase Center with a 6-4 7-6(4) victory over Team World's Reilly Opelka, before Mensik earned the next point for the holders by beating Michelsen 6-1 7-6(3) 10-8.

Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca pulled a point back for Team World as he fought from a break down to claim a 6-4 6-3 win over Flavio Cobolli and ensured that five-times champions Team Europe would not complete a clean sweep.

"I knew it was going to be a difficult match and I knew how important it was," Fonseca said.

"I'm happy with the way I managed to stay positive during the match. I like to play aggressive, so I wanted to suffocate him...not let him breathe and not give him space."