BERLIN: Carlos Alcaraz suffered a losing debut at the Laver Cup on Friday when he and Team Europe partner Alexander Zverev were defeated in straight sets in their doubles clash against Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton of Team World.

Team World is bidding to win a third consecutive Laver Cup this year after triumphing in London in 2022 and Vancouver last year.

American pair Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton edged Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev in doubles to tie the Laver Cup after the first day Friday. Alcaraz and Zverev, who faced each other in the French Open final three months ago,

Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev lost to Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton in their doubles match at the Laver Cup, bringing the overall score to 2-2. Francisco Cerundolo beat Casper Ruud, while Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov won their singles matches.

Carlos Alcaraz will team up with Alexander Zverev to take on American duo Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz in the Laver Cup on Friday, September 20. The Laver Cup turns what is usually an individual, or at most pairs sport, into a competition with teams pitted against each other in a similar mold to the Ryder Cup.

Carlos Alcaraz was seen advising his teammate Casper Ruud during the latter's match against Francisco Cerundolo on Friday.