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Laver Cup is 2-2 after Fritz and Shelton win doubles from Alcaraz and Zverev

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Laver Cup is 2-2 after Fritz and Shelton win doubles from Alcaraz and Zverev
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Laver Cup is 2-2 after Fritz and Shelton win doubles from Alcaraz and Zverev

2024-09-21 06:21 Last Updated At:06:31

BERLIN (AP) — American pair Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton edged Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev in doubles to tie the Laver Cup after the first day Friday.

Alcaraz and Zverev, who faced each other in the French Open final three months ago, had a point for 5-4 in the second set but lost it and the game, and Fritz and Shelton served out to win 7-6 (5), 6-4.

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Team World's Alejandro Tabilo returns the ball during his singles tennis match against team Europe's Grigor Dimitrov on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Alejandro Tabilo returns the ball during his singles tennis match against team Europe's Grigor Dimitrov on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Grigor Dimitrov reacts during his singles tennis match against team World's Alejandro Tabilo on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Grigor Dimitrov reacts during his singles tennis match against team World's Alejandro Tabilo on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Stefanos Tsitsipas returns a ball during his singles tennis match against team World's Thanasi Kokkinakis on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Stefanos Tsitsipas returns a ball during his singles tennis match against team World's Thanasi Kokkinakis on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Ben Shelton, left, and Taylor Fritz confer during a doubles match against Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Team World's Ben Shelton, left, and Taylor Fritz confer during a doubles match against Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Alexander Zverev slap hands during a doubles match against Team World's Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Alexander Zverev slap hands during a doubles match against Team World's Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Former Tennis player Roger Federer, right, and the former soccer player, Bastian Schweinsteiger, left, attend the Opening Night of the Laver Cup tennis tournament in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (Christophe Gateau/dpa via AP)

Former Tennis player Roger Federer, right, and the former soccer player, Bastian Schweinsteiger, left, attend the Opening Night of the Laver Cup tennis tournament in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (Christophe Gateau/dpa via AP)

Team Europe's Casper Ruud serves to team World's Francisco Cerundolo during his singles tennis match on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Casper Ruud serves to team World's Francisco Cerundolo during his singles tennis match on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Casper Ruud, bottom, plays against team World's Francisco Cerundolo on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Casper Ruud, bottom, plays against team World's Francisco Cerundolo on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo says goodbye to captain Björn Borg after winning his match against Norway's Casper Ruud during their men's singles Laver Cup tennis match at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo says goodbye to captain Björn Borg after winning his match against Norway's Casper Ruud during their men's singles Laver Cup tennis match at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Casper Ruud returns a ball to Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo during their men's singles Laver Cup tennis match at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Casper Ruud returns a ball to Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo during their men's singles Laver Cup tennis match at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo celebrates after winning against team Europe's Casper Ruud on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo celebrates after winning against team Europe's Casper Ruud on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo returns during his singles tennis match against team Europe's Casper Ruud on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo returns during his singles tennis match against team Europe's Casper Ruud on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo tosses the ball for a serve to Europe's Casper Ruud during his singles tennis match on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo tosses the ball for a serve to Europe's Casper Ruud during his singles tennis match on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

That left Team Europe and Team World at 2-2 with two more days to go in a format reminiscent of golf’s Ryder Cup.

Team World won the opening match when Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina topped Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 6-4.

Ruud, ranked No. 9, made 20 unforced errors and just 11 winners.

Cerundolo improved his record against Ruud to 4-3.

Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled Team Europe even by beating Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-1, 6-4. Kokkinakis ousted Tsitsipas at the U.S. Open but Tsitsipas was far more comfortable indoors.

Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov then beat Chile's Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2) after more than two hours.

Each match win is worth one point on Friday, two points on Saturday, and three points on Sunday. The first team to 13 points wins. The tournament ends on Sunday.

Earlier Friday, the Laver Cup and the ATP tour announced a five-year extension to their existing agreement.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Team World's Alejandro Tabilo returns the ball during his singles tennis match against team Europe's Grigor Dimitrov on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Alejandro Tabilo returns the ball during his singles tennis match against team Europe's Grigor Dimitrov on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Grigor Dimitrov reacts during his singles tennis match against team World's Alejandro Tabilo on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Grigor Dimitrov reacts during his singles tennis match against team World's Alejandro Tabilo on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Stefanos Tsitsipas returns a ball during his singles tennis match against team World's Thanasi Kokkinakis on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Stefanos Tsitsipas returns a ball during his singles tennis match against team World's Thanasi Kokkinakis on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Ben Shelton, left, and Taylor Fritz confer during a doubles match against Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Team World's Ben Shelton, left, and Taylor Fritz confer during a doubles match against Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Alexander Zverev slap hands during a doubles match against Team World's Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Alexander Zverev slap hands during a doubles match against Team World's Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Former Tennis player Roger Federer, right, and the former soccer player, Bastian Schweinsteiger, left, attend the Opening Night of the Laver Cup tennis tournament in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (Christophe Gateau/dpa via AP)

Former Tennis player Roger Federer, right, and the former soccer player, Bastian Schweinsteiger, left, attend the Opening Night of the Laver Cup tennis tournament in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (Christophe Gateau/dpa via AP)

Team Europe's Casper Ruud serves to team World's Francisco Cerundolo during his singles tennis match on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Casper Ruud serves to team World's Francisco Cerundolo during his singles tennis match on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Casper Ruud, bottom, plays against team World's Francisco Cerundolo on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team Europe's Casper Ruud, bottom, plays against team World's Francisco Cerundolo on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo says goodbye to captain Björn Borg after winning his match against Norway's Casper Ruud during their men's singles Laver Cup tennis match at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo says goodbye to captain Björn Borg after winning his match against Norway's Casper Ruud during their men's singles Laver Cup tennis match at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Casper Ruud returns a ball to Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo during their men's singles Laver Cup tennis match at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Casper Ruud returns a ball to Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo during their men's singles Laver Cup tennis match at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo celebrates after winning against team Europe's Casper Ruud on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo celebrates after winning against team Europe's Casper Ruud on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo returns during his singles tennis match against team Europe's Casper Ruud on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo returns during his singles tennis match against team Europe's Casper Ruud on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo tosses the ball for a serve to Europe's Casper Ruud during his singles tennis match on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Team World's Francisco Cerundolo tosses the ball for a serve to Europe's Casper Ruud during his singles tennis match on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the Uber arena in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

This photo gallery features some of the top photos of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in the past week by AP photographer Thibault Camus. Nasser Al-Attiyah regained the lead in the rally after blasting the first all-sand stage of the race in the Saudi desert on Friday. Five-time champion Al-Attiyah dominated the second half of the 331-kilometer stage between Hail and Riyadh.

Rider Ricky Brabec competes during the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally between Riyadh and Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan.11, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Ricky Brabec competes during the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally between Riyadh and Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan.11, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Luciano Benavides competes during the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally between Riyadh and Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan.11, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Luciano Benavides competes during the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally between Riyadh and Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan.11, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Edouard Boulanger compete during the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Edouard Boulanger compete during the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Arnau Lledo competes during the third stage of the Dakar Rally with a start and finish in Alula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Arnau Lledo competes during the third stage of the Dakar Rally with a start and finish in Alula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz compete during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz compete during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Simon Vitse and co-driver Max Delfino compete during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Simon Vitse and co-driver Max Delfino compete during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Spectators attend to the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Spectators attend to the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Spectators watch driver Denis Krotov and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov competing during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Spectators watch driver Denis Krotov and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov competing during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Nani Roma changes a tire of his car at the end of the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Nani Roma changes a tire of his car at the end of the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Mattias Ekstrom and co-driver Emil Bergkvist compete during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Mattias Ekstrom and co-driver Emil Bergkvist compete during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Mechanic Filip Skrobanek eats after he stopped for a bivouac following the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Mechanic Filip Skrobanek eats after he stopped for a bivouac following the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Drivers and co-drivers pack up their tents before the start of the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Drivers and co-drivers pack up their tents before the start of the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Laia Sanz and co-driver Maurizio Gerini compete during the prologue of the Dakar Rally in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Laia Sanz and co-driver Maurizio Gerini compete during the prologue of the Dakar Rally in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Daniel Sanders drives beside camels during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Daniel Sanders drives beside camels during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Skyler Howes competes during the first stage of the Dakar Rally in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Skyler Howes competes during the first stage of the Dakar Rally in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Denis Krotov sits on a tire as co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, unseen, repairs their car after they stopped for a bivouac at the end of the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Denis Krotov sits on a tire as co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, unseen, repairs their car after they stopped for a bivouac at the end of the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz compete during the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz compete during the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Luciano Benavides competes during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Luciano Benavides competes during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli and co-driver Gonzalo Rinaldi compete during the third stage of the Dakar Rally with a start and finish in Alula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli and co-driver Gonzalo Rinaldi compete during the third stage of the Dakar Rally with a start and finish in Alula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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