Fritz shocks Alcaraz

SAN FRANCISCO – American Taylor Fritz shocked world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 as Team World swept all four matches at the Laver Cup on Saturday to power into the lead in the global tennis event.

Fritz, ranked fifth in the world, notched his first victory over the Spanish superstar after three previous defeats, including in the semifinals at Wimbledon this year.

Australian Alex de Minaur and Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo added singles victories and De Minaur teamed with Alex Michelsen to win the doubles to give captain Andre Agassi’s team a 9-3 lead over Team Europe.

The first team to 13 points will lift the cup on Sunday, when each win is worth three points.

“There’s no running out the clock, we’ve still got to get across the finish line,” Agassi said.

Two weeks after beating Italian Jannik Sinner in the US Open final to claim a sixth Grand Slam crown and return to number one, Alcaraz was not at his sharpest.

Fritz took full advantage with an aggressive game, breaking Alcaraz once in the first set and twice in the second and saving both break points he faced.

“I knew what I had to do before I came out here tonight, the question was just if I was going to be able to do it,” Fritz said.

“I didn’t second guess myself, didn’t play too safe. I played with no fear on the big points.”

Alcaraz admitted it “wasn’t the match that I was expecting.

“But I think I have to look to him,” the Spaniard said. “I think he played some great tennis. I feel like he was more on the court than me.”

Agassi was an energetic observer and adviser on the sideline at Chase Center, home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

Warriors superstar Stephen Curry got a warm reception when he officiated at the coin toss – assisted by retired Swiss tennis great and Laver Cup co-creator Roger Federer.