De Minaur saves match point as Team World takes Laver Cup lead

Alex de Minaur survived a match point against Alexander Zverev to put Team World ahead 5–3 at the Laver Cup on Saturday, completing a sweep of the afternoon singles in London.

De Minaur recovered from a set down to win 2–6, 7–6 (5), 11–9 at The O2. Zverev served for the match at 5–4 in the second set and later held a 9–8 advantage in the deciding match tiebreak, but could not finish either opportunity.

Zverev sent a forehand slice wide on match point, and De Minaur completed the turnaround after defending an overhead. The Australian won despite losing four service games and taking only 59 percent of his first-serve points, according to the ATP’s report.

Learner Tien had already erased Europe’s overnight advantage by beating Flavio Cobolli 6–3, 2–6, 10–7. With Saturday’s matches worth two points each, those consecutive wins took Andre Agassi’s team from 3–1 behind to two points in front.

Tien, making his Laver Cup debut, opened a 4–0 lead before Cobolli recovered one break. The American closed the first set with a backhand volley, then had to regroup after the Roland Garros runner-up took control of the second.

The deciding point came at the end of a 34-shot rally, with Tien finding a passing shot to complete the victory. The tournament’s report credited the 20-year-old with saving four of seven break points against the seventh-ranked Italian.

Europe had built its opening-day advantage through singles wins by Casper Ruud and Rafael Jodar, followed by a doubles victory for Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik. Brandon Nakashima supplied World’s only Friday point by beating Mensik in singles.

The defending champions are trying to repeat their recovery from last year’s competition in San Francisco, when Europe also led 3–1 after the first day before World won 15–9. This year’s event continues through Sunday, when each match carries three points and the first team to reach 13 wins the trophy.