Ben Shelton apologised to fellow Team World star Taylor Fritz after their Laver Cup doubles win over Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev on Friday. The American duo upset the odds to defeat the players ranked second and third in the world respectively in straight sets.

American pair Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton have edged Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev in doubles to tie the Laver Cup after the first day in 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.

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.

It has not been the easiest of times for Carlos Alcaraz in the last few months and after early elimination in the US Open, there were plenty of reports around fatigue kicking in for the Mallorcan star.

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

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 beaten in doubles as Europe ended the first day of the Laver Cup level with the rest of the world team.