Zverev seals sixth Laver Cup title for Europe with victory over Tien

Alexander Zverev secured Team Europe's sixth Laver Cup title by defeating Learner Tien at London's O2 Arena on Sunday. BBC Sport reported that the US Open champion won 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, completing Europe's push to the 13 points required for victory and ensuring Carlos Alcaraz would not need to play another match.

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The deciding singles contest followed a European doubles victory, with Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik beating Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz. Those two Sunday results settled the competition after Europe had entered the final day with a 7-5 advantage. Each victory on the closing day was worth three points.

Tien, the 20-year-old American making his first appearance for Team World, took the opening set against Zverev to a tie-break. The German won that breaker before taking charge in the second set, finishing the match in one hour and 49 minutes. Zverev has now contributed to all six European title wins and holds the competition's singles record with eight victories.

Europe's position had been much less secure on Saturday. In its report on the previous day's play, BBC Sport detailed how De Minaur recovered to beat Zverev 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 11-9. Tien also earned a singles win for Team World, overcoming Cobolli 6-3, 2-6, 10-7 as the defending champions put pressure on Europe.

Alcaraz then survived two match points against Fritz in a 6-3, 4-6, 13-11 victory. The Spaniard saved the first with an ace and the second with a drop shot, eventually converting his third match point. He produced 42 winners compared with Fritz's 20 in a contest watched by Roger Federer and Andy Murray.

Zverev also helped Europe finish Saturday ahead, partnering Casper Ruud to beat Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) in doubles. That result supplied the overnight lead from which Cobolli, Mensik and Zverev completed the job on Sunday.

After clinching the trophy, Zverev credited both his teammates and Team World, according to BBC Sport. He praised Europe's chemistry and the experience of winning together, while acknowledging the challenge posed by the previous year's champions.