Tennis

LONDON — Alex de Minaur left it all out on the court as he produced a stunning comeback to defeat Alexander Zverev and give Team World a 5-3 lead in the Laver Cup.

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The Aussie had looked rusty from the start with US Open champion Zverev continuing where he left off and storming the opening set 6-2.

De Minaur looked to be down out late in the second set, too, before the German double-faulted at 5-4 up to gift his opponent a way back into the match — and the 27-year-old grabbed it with both hands.

Never. Say. Die 😈@alexdeminaur puts his body on the line for Team World.#LaverCup #TennisUnrivaled pic.twitter.com/lNE9qn2BEV

— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 26, 2026

Firstly, winning the second-set tie-break 7-5 before saving his best tennis until last, clinching a nervy match-deciding tie-break 11-9 — and producing the point of the tournament in the process.

A hectic rally finally ended as De Minaur took a dive at full stretch to return a forehand volley at the net which forced Zverev to put his return wide.

.@alexdeminaur bleeds Team World. Literally 🔴#LaverCup #TennisUnrivaled pic.twitter.com/thSnw3XJNi

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— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 26, 2026

De Minaur could be seen bleeding from his knee shortly after, and he was quick to poke fun at his efforts in his post-match interview.

«If you can notice, my blood is red as well!» he joked in his red colours. «What can I say, it was a very tight match, a tough battle, I left it all out there.»

.@alexdeminaur bleeds Team World. Literally 🔴#LaverCup #TennisUnrivaled pic.twitter.com/thSnw3XJNi

— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 26, 2026

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«Got fortunate in the end to get the job done and I’m happy to take points for Team World.»

Earlier in the third session, Learner Tien (World) edged past Flavio Cobolli 3-6, 6-2, 7-10 to bring Team World level on points.

With day two victories counting for two points each to move the winning team closer to the magic 13 number, Team Europe will be hoping Carlos Alcaraz gets them back in contention when he faces Taylor Fritz in the first match of the evening session on Saturday.

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