Laver Cup
Ruud shines, Mensik survives as Workforce Europe takes 2-0 lead at Laver Cup
Czech serves for the match in second set, however pushed to Match Tie-break
September 19, 2025
Clive Brunskill/Getty Photographs
Casper Ruud defeats Reilly Opelka on Friday on the Laver Cup in San Francisco.
By ATP Employees
Casper Ruud and Jakub Mensik powered Workforce Europe to a 2-0 lead on the Laver Cup on Friday, albeit in contrasting kinds.
The Norwegian set the tone with a 6-4, 7-6(4) win over big-serving American Reilly Opelka, delivering a dominant serving efficiency of his personal, whereas Mensik fought off Alex Michelsen 6-1, 6-7(3), 10-8.
Ruud, who revealed that he’s debuting a barely smaller racquet head, was extremely constant behind his supply. He gained 88 per cent of his first-serve factors (45/51) and erased each break factors he confronted, in response to Infosys ATP Stats. Opelka gained simply 16 per cent of his return factors, in comparison with Ruud’s 28 per cent.
“The [goal was] to be within the zone, make plenty of balls, make him play and get Europe off to a very good begin,” mentioned Ruud in his on-court interview. “Actually proud of the match. I used to be in the identical place final yr and misplaced the opening match, so it’s good to get some revenge and start sturdy for Europe.”
Mensik survived a late scare towards Workforce World’s Michelsen. Serving for the match at 6-1, 5-3, Mensik misplaced serve and wanted to finish his victory in a Match Tie-break.
Each gamers raised their degree because the match wore on, however the Czech shortly jumped to a 4/0 lead within the Match Tie-break to deflate the American’s hopes of levelling with Workforce Europe. Michelsen displayed his aggressive spirit to tug inside one at 7/8. Mensik transformed his first match level with a booming serve on the Advert aspect to Michelsen’s backhand, which missed lengthy.
“Nice match,” Mensik mentioned. “We have identified one another since juniors, so we knew lots about ourselves on the courtroom. With this format, with the Match Tie-break within the third, it is all the time robust to your nerves, however I am pleased that I stayed targeted till the tip and I saved combating. I am glad that I helped my group take some extent.”
Friday’s night session will characteristic Flavio Cobolli versus Joao Fonseca. Then, Carlos Alcaraz and Mensik associate towards Taylor Fritz and Michelsen.
