Nakashima beats Mensik to even up Laver Cup at 1-1 after opening session. Alcaraz to play doubles

Associated Press

Sep 25, 2026

Team World's Brandon Nakashima plays a return to Team Europe's Jakub Mensik during a Laver Cup tennis tournament match in London, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

Team World's captain Andre Agassi watches Team World's Francisco Cerundolo play against Team Europe's Casper Ruud during a Laver Cup tennis tournament match in London, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz reacts to the crowd as he enters the stadium during the Laver Cup tennis tournament in London, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

Team World's Brandon Nakashima, left, shakes hands with Team Europe's Jakub Mensik after winning a Laver Cup tennis tournament match in London, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

Team Europe's Casper Ruud plays a return to Team World's Francisco Cerundolo during a Laver Cup tennis tournament match in London, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

LONDON (AP) — Brandon Nakashima made the most of his Laver Cup debut, beating Jakub Mensik 6-1, 3-6, 10-7 to pull Team World level with Team Europe at 1-1 after the opening session Friday.

The 16th-ranked Nakashima was a late addition to Andre Agassi's roster after U.S. Open runner-up Ben Shelton withdrew last week.

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Casper Ruud had put Europe up 1-0 by beating Francisco Cerundolo 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-8 in the opening match at the 02 Arena.

In the evening session, it’s Rafael Jodar of Team Europe against Alexander Bublik of Team World and then a doubles match featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Mensik vs. Bublik and Taylor Fritz.

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There are four matches per day in the three-day event.

Wins are worth one point on Friday, two points on Saturday and three points on Sunday. The first team to reach 13 points wins the event.

Europe has won the Laver Cup five times while Team World took its third title in last year's edition of the Ryder Cup-style event.

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