Jodar wins on debut and Alcaraz and Mensik close it out: Europe lead 3-1, exactly as they did a year ago

Team Europe ended the opening day of the Laver Cup at the O2 leading 3-1, a position their captain was careful not to celebrate, because it is precisely the position they held in San Francisco a year ago before losing the Cup.

“It was a very interesting first day, a lot of emotions,” Yannick Noah said. “The first two matches were so close, it could go either way. We started by winning the tie-break 10-8, and then the second match, losing the tie-break. So that was a lot.”

The day began with Casper Ruud edging Francisco Cerundolo 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-8 in a Laver Breaker, the first of two match tie-breaks in the opening two matches. Brandon Nakashima then levelled the tie for Team World, beating Jakub Mensik 6-1, 3-6, 10-7 to claim what is so far their only point of the weekend.

Europe’s afternoon turned on a debutant. Rafael Jodar, playing his first Laver Cup match at the end of his first year on tour, beat Alexander Bublik 6-2, 6-3, converting four of his nine break points and winning 81% of the points behind his first serve. The 20-year-old Spaniard had to get used to this new feeling before taking control of it.

“I knew it was going to be a very tough match. Always playing the first matches in events is difficult, but I think I handled it very well,” Jodar said. “The first four and five games really helped me to get used to the court. I already practised on these courts for a few days, but playing practice sets and matches are totally different. And then in the second set, I played very, very solid and with clear ideas.”

The day closed with the pairing that already has history. Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik, who played together in San Francisco last year, beat Bublik and Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 27 minutes, saving three break points in a tricky Alcaraz service game in the first set.
extrait

“With Carlos it’s always about good energy. He’s the guy who is really easy to follow, not just on the court but off the court,” Mensik said. “In San Francisco when we played, we complete each other pretty well on the court. I’m just happy that this year we showed it again.” Alcaraz returned the compliment: “We have great chemistry, and we showed that in San Francisco and this year once again. We’re 100% efficient when we team up.”

Noah, in his second year as captain, spent much of his press conference describing a job he defines as reading players rather than instructing them. “Last year, I had no idea what to say, because I didn’t know what emotion. You have sometimes a player that likes to be energized, and another player, the same moment, the same score, wants to calm down,” he said. “It’s not pretty much what I say. It’s pretty much what they feel, if I can be useful. I try to go with their energy. Everybody has a different energy.”

The caution behind the lead was his own. “I know that last year we were up 3-1 the first day,” he said. “So now it’s time to go rest and get ready for a good, interesting weekend.”

Saturday’s matches are worth two points each, Sunday’s three, and 13 points win the Cup.

LAVER CUP 2026, Day 1 results

• Casper RUUD (EUR) bt Francisco CERUNDOLO (WLD) 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-8
• Brandon NAKASHIMA (WLD) bt Jakub MENSIK (EUR) 6-1, 3-6, 10-7
• Rafael JODAR (EUR) bt Alexander BUBLIK (WLD) 6-2, 6-3
• Carlos ALCARAZ / Jakub MENSIK (EUR) bt Alexander BUBLIK / Taylor FRITZ (WLD) 6-4, 6-4

LAVER CUP 2026, Day 2 order of play

• Flavio COBOLLI (EUR) vs Learner TIEN (WLD) – 1PM
• Alexander ZVEREV (EUR) vs Alex DE MINAUR (WLD)
• Carlos ALCARAZ (EUR) vs Taylor FRITZ (WLD)
• Casper RUUD / Alexander ZVEREV (EUR) vs Alexander BUBLIK / Brandon NAKASHIMA (WLD)