Carlos Alcaraz narrowly avoids back-to-back singles defeats for the first time in 18 months as Team Europe lead Team World at the Laver Cup.

Carlos Alcaraz has struggled with a wrist injury this year

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Two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz narrowly avoided back-to-back singles defeats for the first time in 18 months as Team Europe took a 7-5 lead over Team World at the Laver Cup

The world number three saved two match points before overcoming Taylor Fritz 6-3 4-6 13-11 in a dramatic deciding tie-break at London's O2 Arena

It was Alcaraz's first singles outing since his late-night quarter-final exit to Ben Shelton at the US Open

"The drop shot is part of my game," Alcaraz said after sealing victory with a trademark touch

"In those really close and important moments, I tried to use it because it was a really good weapon for me in this match."

American Fritz, whose only previous victory against the Spaniard came during Team World's triumph in last year's competition, kept errors to a minimum

However, Alcaraz struck 42 winners to Fritz's 20, bringing an audience that included Roger Federer and Andy Murray to their feet