The European couple consisting of Carlos Alcaraz and the Norwegian Casper Ruud defeated American duo consisting of Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe by 6-2 and 7-6 (8-6) and tightened the score to Europe, 8-7 against so farat the opening of the final day of the Laver Cup in Berlin.
After Saturday’s deadly session, in which the intercontinentals took 6 out of 8 points in the competition, there was little room for error for the Old Continent to continue in the competition.
As Ruud looked to atone for his lackluster doubles performance on Saturday, he and the Greek Tsitsipas fell victim themselves to Shelton’s ruthless left-foot power, the combination of choice Bjorn Borg For the match he mixed it better than on previous occasions.
The youngest number 1 in history and a student of Rafa Nadal’s Academy set out to re-engage Europe in the tournament and, in just three games, led them to get the first break with a great volley shot by Carlos , they left clearly. your intentions. The Scandinavian player finished Carlos’ first inconsistent serve at the net to cement the advantage and when he connected on the next return, they doubled the break to put the ball in the middle of the first set.
The Europeans kept their concentration at the start of the second set and, after barely breaking their first serve by Ruud, they were on the verge of another break, but the attempt was thwarted by powerful shots from the North American duo. Then the Murcian beast was released. Carlos brought out his magical repertoire, with another portion of his brilliant volley shots for his private museum of the master stroke, and with Ruud excited to take care of the resolutions in the net, Europe continued things in a more competitive second set.
At 5-5 on the scoreboard, an impressive point after an endless exchange of drop shots, counter-drops, volleys and crosses, ended with Shelton falling in advertising and Roger Federer Hallucinating in the stands, he gave way to a break option to begin claiming victory, but the Atlanta gunner prevented the operation.
The next service of Alcaraz, resolved with a blank in his favor, led to sudden death and, there, although not without suffering, the Europeans did not forgive.
After this result, Europe is closer on the scoreboard to the Rest of the World, where it is separated by only one point in the overall standings, before the next match, now in singles, where Shelton himself, who will repeat his performance. , will face the Russian Daniel Medvedev in another clash that, like everything on Sunday, will once again add three points to the overall standings of the winner.
Alcaraz himself could play, if it happens, in the final match of the competition, which will take place against fellow North American Taylor Fritz.
Source: La Verdad
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