Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud won the life of European teams, won the life of Europe ATP journey
Laver Cup
Alcaraz/Ruud wins European team life with Laver Cup Double
Team World is now leading 9-6 in San Francisco
September 21, 2025
Photos/Getty Images by Joe Scarnici
Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud placed Europe at the distance on the final day of the Laver Cup.
Arthur Kapetanakis
Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud won the European team in much-needed doubles to change the skin color of the Laver Cup. Alkaraz and Rude lowered the deficit to 9-6 in the first-13 match, worth three points per Sunday game, with the world team not leading 9-3 on Saturday.
The Europeans won the game with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win over Alex Michelsen and Reilly Opelka, 1/4 in the first tiebreak to control. According to Infosys ATP statistics, Alcaraz and Ruud did not face a breakpoint in the game, but they needed 11 breakpoints and then eventually broke the opponent in the second game.
“We stayed strong, very strong. We did what we had to do and I think it worked very well.”
Two points define the game. At 1/4 of the tiebreak, the team world thinks they lead with exciting communication, only to find Michelson’s reflex shooter sailing outside the baseline. This started six straight points to seal the game, then five straight games in the second group.
Midway through the second set, Alcaraz hit the game’s shot: a ridiculous descending volley, and Michelsen was in trouble despite the American standing inside the service line.
“Sometimes I think of a lot of ideas,” Alkaraz said of his shooting ability. “I just like to make choices. I think in that position, it’s the only shot or the best shot I could choose at that moment.”
