Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud keep Team Europe's Laver Cup hopes alive with win over Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe

Updated 22/09/2024 at 15:03 GMT

The 2024 Laver Cup will go the distance after Team Europe injected life back into the contest with a dominant doubles win over Team World. Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe were swept aside in the opening set and couldn't undo the damage despite an improved showing in the second. The young European duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud were men on a mission at the Uber Arena in Berlin.

Highlights: Ruud and Tsitsipas beaten in doubles to give Team World Laver Cup lead

Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud kicked off Sunday's Laver Cup action at the Uber Arena in Berlin with a dominant victory over the American pair Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, 6-2 7-6(8-6).

Team Europe picked up a key early break after both sides swapped early service games.

After defending a break point in the next game, they shored up their lead with another win against the Team World serve to move 4-1 up.

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Team World avoided dropping a third straight service game, holding for 5-2 but were only delaying the inevitable.

Team Europe wrapped up the opening set inside 37 minutes, capping an efficient opening period with power and precision without dropping a point.

There was a response from Team World though, as they struck back to open the second set with a strong hold to love.

Ruud and Alcaraz responded with a similarly strong hold and pushed for another break but Shelton and Tiafoe held on after defending double break point.

A series of dominant service games followed. Neither side dropped more than a single point in the next seven holds.

The 11th game of the set saw a real tussle but smart play from Tiafoe at the net pulled Team World through.

The Europeans held again to love to force the tiebreaker.

Team World denied one match point in the tiebreaker but couldn't repeat the trick a second time, with Tiafoe's unforced error sealing the win for Europe.

The result cut into Team World's lead, leaving Team Europe 8-7 down ahead of the afternoon fixtures.

Watch and stream the 2024 Laver Cup live on Eurosport and discovery+

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