Alcaraz & Mensik Seal Doubles Win as Europe Lead 3-1 at Laver Cup

Team Europe ended Friday in the driver's seat at the 2026 Laver Cup, taking a 3-1 lead over Team World after a four-match opening day at the O2 Arena in London. The headline moment came from Carlos Alcaraz, who teamed up with Jakub Mensik to close out the night in style.

Alcaraz and Mensik Get the Job Done

The doubles pairing of Alcaraz and Mensik was all business against Alexander Bublik and Taylor Fritz, sweeping them 6-4 6-4 in straight sets. It was a composed, clinical performance that gave Europe the extra cushion they needed heading into Saturday, when points double in value.

Alcaraz — who has been making the most of his return to competitive tennis after injury concerns — admitted doubles isn't his usual territory but embraced the challenge. According to Sky Sports, he said: "I don't usually play doubles. I just try to enjoy and be better at things. I use doubles to try and improve my tennis, a couple of adjustments. Having a partner like Jakub, it's really easy to have fun on the court."

That relaxed mindset is becoming a theme for the Spaniard. He added that he's "just trying to have fun" everywhere he competes — a mentality that's clearly paying off.

How the Day Unfolded

The opening match of the tournament set a positive tone for Europe. Casper Ruud edged Francisco Cerundolo in a tight three-setter, 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 10-8, to put the first point on the board.

Team World leveled things up in the day session when Brandon Nakashima — a late roster addition after US Open runner-up Ben Shelton withdrew — made an immediate impact on his Laver Cup debut, defeating Mensik 6-1 3-6 10-7. The 16th-ranked American showed no nerves on the big stage.

Rafael Jodar then restored Europe's advantage in the evening singles slot, dismantling Bublik 6-2 6-3 in a dominant display that set up Alcaraz and Mensik perfectly for the night session.

The Stakes Going Forward

The Laver Cup scoring format rewards patience — wins are worth one point Friday, two on Saturday, and three on Sunday. The first team to 13 points takes the title.

With a 3-1 buffer already in place, Europe are well positioned, but Saturday's doubled points mean a bad session could flip the script quickly. Team World will need to regroup fast if they want to defend the title they claimed in last year's edition of the event. Europe, meanwhile, have won the competition five times overall and will be hungry to reclaim top spot.

For Alcaraz specifically, the Laver Cup represents a welcome stretch of competitive court time. After a stretch that included injury concerns heading into Wimbledon and a demanding calendar that he's spoken openly about managing, seeing him thrive in a team environment — even in doubles — is a strong sign. He looked sharp, energized, and fully engaged alongside Mensik.

What to Watch on Saturday

With points doubling in value, Saturday's matches at the O2 carry real weight. Every player in both squads knows a single strong afternoon or evening session could dramatically reshape the scoreboard. Team World's Nakashima will look to build on his opening-day win, while Europe will count on Alcaraz and others to keep the momentum rolling.

The Laver Cup runs through Sunday, September 27, with coverage available live on Sky Sports Tennis.