Nakashima Levels Laver Cup at 1-1

Brandon Nakashima defeated Jakub Mensik 6-1, 3-6, 10-7 in his Laver Cup debut on Sept. 25, 2026 at The O2, tying Team World with Team Europe at 1-1 after Friday’s opening session. Casper Ruud had put Europe ahead by beating Francisco Cerundolo 6-7(4), 6-4, 10-8. Nakashima, in for Ben Shelton, broke in the second game and led 5-0; one account timed that lead at 16 minutes, another put the 6-1 set inside 23 minutes. Mensik took the second set 6-3. In the Laver Breaker Mensik led 6-4 before Nakashima reached 9-7; Mensik’s backhand went long on match point. Patrick Rafter recalled Andre Agassi saying, “We’re going to have these roller coasters throughout the whole next three days,” then telling Nakashima to “lock in the first few games.” Nakashima said the bench told him to keep hitting through his shots and that putting a point on the board “is an unbelievable experience.” Ruud said: “Also the crowd, you are great. Hopefully Europe can build on this and hopefully there are more Europeans in the stadium all weekend long. We need it.” Evening doubles pair Alcaraz and Mensik against Bublik and Fritz.