The world number one of Carlos Alcaraz, freshly out of its triumph of the United States at Flushing Meadows, entered the washing Cup on Friday with a double victory that pushed the advance of Europe to 3-1 in the world of the team after the opening day of the World Tennis event.
Spain Alcaraz and the Czech Jakub Mensik beat the American duo of Team World by Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelse 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 in double closing of the day.
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It was the second victory of Mensik of the day, after a victory of 6-1, 6-7 (3/7) 10-8 on Michelsen.
The Czech was broken while he was used for the match in the ninth game of the second set. But after abandoning the equality break in the second set to Michelsen, he gathered to win the equality break of the 10 -point match.
“It’s always difficult for your nerves, but I’m happy to stay focused until the end,” said Mensik, 20.
Casper Ruud, Norway, withdrew Europe with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over the American Reilly Opelka in the opening match at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors of the NBA.
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“I was in the same position last year and I lost the opening match, so it’s good to take revenge and start strong for Europe,” said Ruud.
The newcomer to was washing Cup, Joao Fonseca, took a point on the board for Team World with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Flavio Cobolli in Europe.
The 19 -year -old Brazilian joined 2 to 4 in the first set and broke twice in the second time to win the victory with a large contingent of Brazilian fans encouraging him.
“I tried to stay positive during the match,” said Fonseca, who won his first ATP title in Buenos Aires this year. “I was a little more nervous than usual, which is normal.”
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Europe won five of the first seven editions of the event, although Team World triumphed the last time that the competition co-created by the Grand Roger Federer in North America, in Vancouver in 2023.
There have been a few changes since Alcaraz sealed the victory of Europe in Berlin last year. France Yannick Noah took over from Bjorn Borg as a team of Team Europe while the American Andre Agassi is the new captain of Team World, succeeding John McENROE.
Friday’s matches were worth one point each. The Saturday calendar also includes three single and a double match, all values two points each.
The Sunday calendar opens on the double, followed by three single and three points.
The first team to reach 13 points claims the cup.
BB / MTP
