Team Europe lead Team World 3-1 after the opening day of Laver Cup 2026 at The O2 in London. Casper Ruud and teenager Rafael Jodar won their singles, and Carlos Alcaraz teamed up with Jakub Mensik to win the closing doubles on Friday night. Brandon Nakashima picked up World’s only point on his Laver Cup debut.
Each Friday match is worth one point, so the lead is a small one. Wins count for two points on Saturday and three on Sunday, and the first team to 13 points takes the trophy. That scoring means neither side can clinch the cup before the final day.
Laver Cup 2026 Day 1 results
Ruud opened the event with a gritty win over Francisco Cerundolo. The Norwegian dropped a tight first-set tie-break before levelling the match 6-4 and taking the deciding match tie-break 10-8.
World hit back straight away. Nakashima, a late call-up after Ben Shelton withdrew, raced through the first set 6-1 against Mensik. The Czech levelled 6-3, but Nakashima won the match tie-break 10-7 to make it 1-1.
The evening session belonged to Europe. Spain’s Jodar was composed against Alexander Bublik and won 6-2, 6-3. “I think in the important points I played better today,” he told the Laver Cup website. Mensik then returned alongside Alcaraz to beat Bublik and Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the doubles.
- Casper Ruud (EUR) def. Francisco Cerundolo (WLD) 6-7(4), 6-4, [10-8]
- Brandon Nakashima (WLD) def. Jakub Mensik (EUR) 6-1, 3-6, [10-7]
- Rafael Jodar (EUR) def. Alexander Bublik (WLD) 6-2, 6-3
- Carlos Alcaraz/Jakub Mensik (EUR) def. Alexander Bublik/Taylor Fritz (WLD) 6-4, 6-4
Why a 3-1 lead is not safe
Europe have won the Laver Cup five times, but Team World are the holders after winning the 2025 edition. Europe captain Yannick Noah was quick to point out that his side also led 3-1 after the first day last year and still lost.
With 2 points on offer for every Saturday win, one good day for World would wipe out the gap.
Laver Cup Saturday schedule: Alcaraz vs Fritz
Saturday’s day session starts at 1pm BST (8am ET) on September 26. Flavio Cobolli plays Learner Tien first, followed by Alexander Zverev against Alex de Minaur.
The evening session starts no earlier than 7pm BST (2pm ET) with the headline match of the day, Alcaraz against Fritz. Ruud and Zverev then face Bublik and Nakashima in the doubles.
Read more: how Brandon Nakashima replaced Ben Shelton on Team World.
