Carlos Alcaraz opened his singles account in the Laver Cup with a straight-sets win against Ben Shelton.
After Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev fell to American duo Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton in a tantalising opening night doubles match, the 20-year-old needed a big performance for Team Europe.
Playing straight after Frances Tiafoe downed Daniil Medvedev in a magnificent third set tie-break, Alcaraz was confronted once again by the big-serving Shelton.
A debutant this year on the Laver Cup’s traditional black court, Alcaraz took to the stage in typical confident style.
A deliberate, powerful selection of shots helped the clinical Spaniard to a decisive break of serve in each set to win 6-4, 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz is relishing the Laver Cup’s ‘unique’ team environment
Despite his four major titles, Zverev labelling Alcaraz a tennis legend already, the 20-year-old is still experiencing new challenges on tour.
Perched beside Grigor Dimitrov, a player somewhat between ‘tennis generations’, Alcaraz looks to be enchanted by the whole occasion.
Speaking after his victory to the Laver Cup, he said: “There is more pressure playing for your teammates rather than just for yourself, but there is also more support. It was great having Grigor giving me advice, and Stefanos too.”
Both Dimitrov and Tsitsipas won their singles matches, however the Greek later slumped to doubles defeat with Casper Ruud.
“Having Bjorn in the bench as well, it is a great support for me,” Alcaraz continued. “Normally I watch my team, you know, after every point. Here I’m looking at my partners and Bjorn more than my team.
“So it is a different feeling … So I’m gonna take this experience for a long time, and I honestly learn a lot from them, as well.”
Carlos Alcaraz is back in form after US Open disappointment
A history-making summer of joy was stunted abruptly by Novak Djokovic as Olympic Gold went begging.
For a while, it looked like Alcaraz was lost – a smashed racquet after his Cincinnati defeat to Gael Monfils – a bizarre three-set thrashing to relatively unknown Botic van de Zandschulp – the smile had gone.
It took Alcaraz getting back into Spanish colours to rediscover his feet on the hard-court, with two smart Davis Cup wins energising the 20-year-old.
A mini-break in a novel atmosphere for Alcaraz appears to have worked wonders. Relishing the chats with idol Dimitrov, staggered by his father’s idol Borg, the 20-year-old has got his mojo back.
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