Tennis

LONDON — Team Europe are on the brink of winning the 2026 Laver Cup with just one victory now needed following Jakub Mensik and Flavio Cobolli’s doubles win in the opening match on day three.

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Team Europe recorded an impressive 7-5, 6-3 victory over Team World’s Taylor Fritz and Alex De Minaur to take the overall scores to 10-5.

With match wins worth three points on the final day, Team Europe only need one more win from the three possible remaining matches to reach the magic 13 number, and now Alexander Zverev has the chance to reclaim the Laver Cup with victory over Learner Tien next up.

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Team World came out of the blocks the fastest in Sunday’s session with Team Europe broken in the opening game, De Minaur continuing where he left off from yesterday’s impressive win over Alexander Zverev.

While some brilliant defensive work at the net from Mensik was keeping Team Europe in reach throughout the opening set, Cobolli was struggling to return De Minaur and Fritz’s relentless power at the net.

Team Europe eventually got their first break to level the scores in the eighth; 4-4. Soon the tables had turned and it was Team World needing to save two set points as Fritz and De Minaur stood firm, executing their winning shots when it mattered most.

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As we reached the hour mark, De Minaur double faulted to go 30-30 and add some unnecessary pressure. Fritz’s volley in a long rally then went wide and Team Europe had a third set point to which Mensik obliged with a stunning backhand return down the line to give the men in blue some much needed breathing space; taking the opener 7-5.

As is often the case in doubles, a net specialist is key to winning points. Mensik might not be a doubles specialist but his 6ft 5in frame at the net was proving problematic for Team World to find a way past. Europe were putting points on the board and fast courtesy of the world No.15’s quick reactions.

Europe got the decisive break to move 3-1 ahead as Mensik crashed a forehand winner right down the middle. Fritz and De Minaur looked to each other perplexed as a concerned team captain Andre Agassi grimaced from the bench. A long way back now, not just in this match but the competition itself.

Rallied by a heavily favoured Team Europe crowd, Mensik and Cobolli stayed consistent and held their nerves in the final games to take the second set 6-3 and edge their side closer to victory.

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