In a match that had the Chase Center crowd roaring from the first ball, Alex de Minaur delivered a masterclass to level the 2025 Laver Cup at 3-3, stunning Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4 in the Day 2 singles opener. The Australian’s blistering start and ice-cold finishing—his third win over a Top-10 foe in team events this year—earned Team World a crucial two points, pulling them even with defending champions Team Europe after Friday’s 3-1 drubbing. As the stakes rise with doubled points on the line, de Minaur’s “gem” has ignited a fierce battle heading into the afternoon session.
## De Minaur’s Dominance: A 5-0 Blitz and Relentless Pressure
Ranked No. 8 with an ATP-leading 29 hard-court wins in 2025, de Minaur wasted no time asserting control against the No. 3-ranked Zverev, the Laver Cup’s all-time points leader (24) and a five-time participant. The Aussie sprinted to a 5-0 lead in the opener with back-to-back breaks, his flat groundstrokes pinning Zverev deep and forcing errors. Zverev, fresh off a Munich title but winless in his last four ATP events, struggled with rhythm, netting 22 unforced errors to de Minaur’s 11.
The second set turned into a grinder, with Zverev finding his serve (winning 82% of first-serve points) to level at 4-4. But de Minaur, drawing on his recent Washington title run where he saved three championship points, unleashed a massive forehand pass for break point. He converted, then held firm under pressure, sealing the deal with an ace on match point. “I started pretty quickly,” de Minaur said post-match, grinning amid the cheers. “I knew it was going to get harder because he’s a great competitor… But I’m so proud of myself for backing myself.”
This marks de Minaur’s second Laver Cup win in as many tries, following his 2022 upset of Andy Murray that helped Team World to its lone title. Against Zverev, he now leads their head-to-head 3-2, including ATP Cup and United Cup triumphs—all in team formats. Zverev, gracious in defeat, tipped his cap: “He played lights-out tennis. Credit to Alex—we’ll bounce back.”
## The Bigger Picture: From 3-1 to 3-3, Tension Builds
Day 1 saw Team Europe surge to a 3-1 lead: Casper Ruud over Ben Shelton (7-6, 6-4), Carlos Alcaraz topping Jack Draper (6-3, 7-5), and Jakub Mensik edging Alex Michelsen in doubles (6-1, 6-7, 10-8). Team World’s lone point came from Taylor Fritz and Michelsen’s doubles win over Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.
De Minaur’s gem flips the script, evening the score at 3-3 (worth four points total so far, with Day 2 victories doubled). Next up: Holger Rune vs. Francisco Cerundolo (2 points on the line), followed by the blockbuster Alcaraz vs. Fritz singles. The nightcap doubles pits Rune and Casper Ruud against de Minaur and Michelsen—a potential decider that could send one team into Sunday with a 7-3 edge.
Captain Andre Agassi, in his debut year leading Team World, beamed: “That’s why we brought Alex in late—he’s a fighter.” Europe’s Yannick Noah, meanwhile, urged resilience: “One match down, more to go. We’ve got the depth.”
Why It Matters: De Minaur’s Form and Laver Cup Stakes
De Minaur’s surge—quarterfinals in Toronto and the US Open—positions him as Team World’s X-factor, especially with Sunday’s tripled points looming. A win here keeps World alive for their second title in three years; a sweep could bury Europe early. With 13 points needed to clinch (out of 24 possible), and a tiebreaker if even at 12-12, every rally counts.
San Francisco’s electric atmosphere, complete with celebrity sightings (Steph Curry courtside), amplifies the drama. As de Minaur fist-pumps off court, the Laver Cup feels wide open—proving once again why team tennis delivers the sport’s purest thrills.
