Laver Cup Saturday: Does Team Europe stay in front or can Team World keep it close on Day 2?

SAN FRANCISCO—Paced by the rock-solid efforts of Casper Ruud, to clutch moments from Jakub Mensik, to the sparkling doubles play of both Mensik and Carlos Alcaraz, Team Europe finished day one of Laver Cup with a 3-1 lead over Team World.

But that’s a long way from earning the 13 points necessary to capture the title. With victories on this second day of competition each worth two points, Saturday in San Francisco figures to be pivotal. Can Team Europe extend its lead? Or will Team World tighten things up and perhaps pull ahead?

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Here’s a look at the day two Laver Cup slate:

Alexander Zverev (Team Europe) vs. Alex de Minaur (Team World)

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The third-ranked Zverev holds a commanding 8-2 lead in this matchup, his powerful groundstrokes and big serve often too smothering for the scrappy de Minaur. Zverev also boasts an impressive 7-2 record in Laver Cup singles matches; de Minaur is 1-0.

But de Minaur, currently No. 8 in the world, is certain to live up to the Australian tradition of leaving blood on the court every time he competes. As this match unfolds, count on de Minaur making several mind-blowing retrievals. That said, a good start is paramount for the Aussie, lest he get stream-rolled by Zverev’s ability to hit one deep ball after another. The pristine indoor environment also figures to favor Zverev.

Holger Rune (Team Europe) vs. Francisco Cerundolo (Team World)

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The only prior time these have played one another happened in the round of 16 at Roland Garros in 2023. It went the distance, Rune winning in a fifth-set tiebreaker. But when it comes to this afternoon’s Laver Cup match, it’s the 11th-ranked Rune’s debut–and Cerundolo is 2-0.

Might that edge in experience be enough to help the 21st-ranked Cerundolo earn precious points for Team World? Then again, Rune, winner of but one match at Wimbledon and the US Open this year, would surely like to kick off his Laver Cup career in grand style.

Carlos Alcaraz (Team Europe) vs. Taylor Fritz (Team World)

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Set to kick off the evening session at 7 p.m., this match will mark the San Francisco singles debut of the amazing Alcaraz–up against America’s best in his home state.

Though Alcaraz has won all three of their matches, the most recent one was a gem. It happened in the semis of Wimbledon this year. Fritz twice held set points to take it into a fifth set. My sense now, though, is that Fritz is a bit weary from a long campaign that’s included an arduous US Open, followed by a rigorous pair of Davis Cup matches last weekend. Meanwhile, Alcaraz remains eternally energetic.

In last night’s doubles match, performing in a city that’s long championed rock stars, inside the arena where another athlete-artist, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, has lit up the court, Alcaraz repeatedly showed what makes him tennis’ preeminent blend of music and magic. Surely, he’ll sing quite loudly versus Fritz.

Casper Ruud-Holger Rune (Team Europe) vs. Alex de Minaur-Alex Michelsen (Team World)

🖥️📱 Stream it here on TennisChannel.com (start time at approx 11:10 p.m. ET)

It was already one thing for the durable de Minaur to head back to the U.S. from Australia so that he could play this event. Now comes a Saturday that will begin with singles at 1 p.m. and a doubles match that figures to start at approximately 9 p.m. But if anyone can play inspired tennis on such a schedule, it’s this highly persistent Aussie. And rookie Michelsen, despite losing both of his matches on day one, figures to bring plenty of passion in the quest for his first Laver Cup victory.

But the mix of Ruud’s commanding forehand and Rune’s intermittent artistry will also pose many questions.