Carlos Alcaraz scored a face-saving Saturday win to keep Europe from a day-long shutout on day 2 of the Laver Cup exhibition in London.

The world No. 2 who  missed nearly five months of this season with a wrist injury, handed his side two valuable points with a 6-4, 4-6, 13-11 defeat of Taylor Fritz of the Rest of the World lineup.

That late win knotted the cumulative scoreline at 5-5 with the three-day series at the O2 to be decided on Sunday.

Under the hybrid rules of the special event, final day wins each bring three points as opposed to two on the second day of play and one on the first.

Alcaraz settled a score with Fritz after losing to the American at the event a year ago.

The victory was the only one of the day for Europep in singles after losses from 

Flavio Cobolli and double grand Slam winner Alexander Zverev who went down 2-6, 7-6 (5), 11-9 to Aussie Alex de Minaur.

“Two great and tough losses today and obviously I was thinking a little bit about last year, [when) we lost every match on Saturday,” Alcaraz said.

“I was trying not to let it happen again. I was nervous at the beginning, I’m not going to lie. But really happy that I took the win at the end.”

The Spaniard with seven Grand Slam titles added a word on strategy:

“The drop shot is part of my game… I am trying to use it in my favour. I think the drop shots that I made in the match, I think that I won if not every drop shot, at least a really high percentage.

“In those really close and important moments, I tried to use it because it was a really good weapon for me in this match.”

The former No. 1 salvaged two match points in the final set tiebreaker – the fist with a timely ace as he fought to keep his European side in with a chance after a run of recent losses in the series.

Casper Ruud and Zverev later put Europe into 7-5 command with a 6-4, 7-6 (7) doubles win over Brandon Nakashima and Alexander Bublik.

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz defeating Taylor Fritz – by ATPTour.com

Laver Cup debutant Lerner Tien showed he’s fast on the rebound as the American took inspiration from coach Andre Agassi to level the Laver cup score a 3-3 with a Saturday win in London over Flavio Cobolli.

Tien, at 20 a young gun on the Rest of the World side, defeated Italy’s Roland Garros finalist 6-3, 2-6, 10-7.

With Day 2 win counting two points each, the victory in 97 minutes put teammates Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz on level-pegging heading into their later singles tests against Europe.

World has won four of the previous five titles in the exhibition run by Roger Federer’s management group in honor of the Swiss icons tennis idol, Rod Laver..

Tien, who won the spring Geneva ATP title, said he has to make a major reset after losing the second set to Cobolli, fighting back to win the match tiebreak third set at the O2.

“I can reset pretty easily,” the No. 13 said. “In this format, the score does not matter so much. Everyone always had a chance.

“To put the second set behind me was  pretty good.”

Tien dropped serve twice in the second set after winning the first. But his deciding set fightback made the difference for his side.

“I just went into lockdown, there are some moments where the ball if just there to go for it. It was still tough to get through.”

The youngster gave full credit to Agassi for his inspiration. “Andre has given me more knowledge than everyone combined.  It’s good to have a voice like that on the sidelines encouraging you. It’s very helpful.”

Casper Ruud and Rafa Jodar combined to start and finish Friday’s opening stage of the Laver Cup as their victories sent Europe into a 2-1 lead over Rest of the World in London.

Norway’s Ruud began day 1 play with a 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-8 defeat of Argentina Francisco Cerundolo while Spanish prodigy Jodar finished off the programme 6-2, 6-4 ovr Alexander Bublik in a winning debut at the team exhibition conceptualised by Roger Federer in 2017 to hour is tennis hero Rod Laver.

Jodar, who turned 20 only days ago, spent 84 minutes in adding a point for Europe coached by French legend Yannick Noah and earning his own 38th match win of this breakthrough season.

“It was a pleasure to represent Team Europe for the first time. I felt great on court. I played against a tough player… I think the atmosphere was great, so thank you everyone for coming” the winner said.

The unpredictable Bublik was unable to match it with the Spanish youngster ranked 14th 

Jodar won eight of his final nine service points for the win. Jodar and Carlos Alcaraz combined for a one-two punch in the concluding doubles rubber, defeating Bublik and Taylor Fritz to end the day with a 3-1 European lead

Main photo:- Casper Ruud opens the scoring for Team Europe – ISF Ltd