World number one Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his US Open triumph at Flushing Meadows, eased into the Laver Cup on Friday with a doubles victory that pushed Europe’s lead to 3-1 over Team World after the opening day of the global tennis event.

Spain’s Alcaraz and Czech Jakub Mensik defeated Team World’s US duo of Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 in the day’s closing doubles.

It was Mensik’s second victory of the day, after a 6-1, 6-7 (3/7) 10-8 singles victory over Michelsen.

The Czech was broken as he served for the match in the ninth game of the second set. But after dropping the second-set tiebreaker to Michelsen he regrouped to win the 10-point match tiebreaker.

“It’s always tough for your nerves but I’m happy that I stay focused to the end,” Mensik, 20, said.

Norway’s

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