Alex de Minaur entered the Laver Cup as an alternate. The Aussie made the right decision after earning three victories for Team World and providing seven of their 12 points in the middle od the final day!
A day after beating world no. 3 Alexander Zverev, lex defeated Jakub Mensik 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 36 minutes, pushing Team World 12-6 in front ahead of the clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Francisco Cerundolo.
De Minaur made the difference behind the second serve and clinched the pivotal points to oust Mensik in straight sets. The more experienced player denied all five break points and stole 40% of the return points.
Alex provided two breaks from four chances, delivering a single break in each set to emerge at the top. The Aussie played composed tennis and welcomed over 30 unforced errors from the young gun.
They served well in the opening five games of the duel. De Minaur moved 3-2 in front with a forehand winner and made a push on the return in the next one.Jakub missed a game point and experienced a break after netting a routine volley at the net.
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Alex missed a backhand in the seventh game and experienced two break points. He denied them and held after Mensik's loose forehand for a 5-2 lead. The Aussie served for the set at 5-3 and held at 15, closing the first part of the duel in 40 minutes.
Jakub stayed in touch in the first half of the second set and missed chances to create break points in game four. Instead, the Aussie grabbed a break in game seven and moved in front.
De Minaur closed the eighth game with a service winner and served for the win at 5-4. Suddenly, he faced three break points that could have turned the tables. Mensik missed a routine volley on the second and failed to convert the last.
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Alex generated a match point with a volley winner and seized it after drawing the rival's mistake to propel Team World 12-6 in front ahead of the final two matches.
