Fonseca, Alcaraz highlight Laver Cup opening day

Joao Fonseca made a winning debut at the Laver Cup edition in San Francisco while Carlos Alcaraz finished the day 1 job to give Europe a 3-1 lead in the international team event,

The 19-year-old Fonseca became the youngest man to win a match at the event started by Roger Federer in 2017 to honour the legend Rod Laver.

Brazil’s Fonseca did debut coach Andre Agassi proud for the World side with his 6-4, 6-3 opening win over Italian Flavio Cobolli.

Norway’s Casper Ruud added a point for Europe as he dismissed Reilly Opelka 6-4, 7-6 (4) while Czech Jakob Mensik outlasted American Alex Mickelsen 6-1, 6-7 (2), 10-8  

US Open winner and world No. 1 Alcaraz teamed with Mensik to roll Mickelsen and Taylor Fritz 7-6 (7), 6-4 in the doubles to end the day.

Fonseca, born 12 days before Agassi retired from tennis in 2006, rallied from 2-4 in the first set against Cobolli, winning seven of eight games to establish his superiority.

“My team helped me a lot, to stay positive during the match,” the winner said. “I was a little bit more nervous than usual. It’s normal. 

“After that I started talking a little bit more with Andre and the team…

“I was playing good in the beginning, but I was still a little bit nervous and making a lot of mistakes, but after I got through so I’m very happy with that.”

Alcaraz was making his first appearance on court since defeating Jannik Sinner in the US Open final this month.

“Doubles gives you more opportunities to make great shots, great volleys,” the Spaniard said. “But it’s not just about one player. 

“You have to team up with a great player like I did today with Jakub. Thanks to him with his great shots, great skills on the volleys as well, he made me feel comfortable on the court.”