WATCH: Team Europe's wild celebrations as Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud narrow the gap between two teams with doubles win

Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud brought an intriguing twist to the 2024 Laver Cup with a thrilling win over Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe on Sunday, September 22. Team World held an 8-4 lead overnight, but Alcaraz and Rude combined to close the gap to 8-7.

The Spanish-Norwegian pair had a nervous start, leading to a break point in the second game which they saved after Alcaraz’s mis-hit forehand volley. They set up three break points after Ruud's forehand kissed the net and flew over Tiafoe's racket. His partner in crime then converted the third of them with a backhand drop volley.

The Europeans bagged the first set 6-2 in 37 minutes. In the second game, Team World won three points on the run in the tiebreak to turn a 2-4 deficit into a 5-4 lead. Shelton and Tiafoe seemed to be on the right track, but Alcaraz and Rude weren't about to give up. Europe had a match point at 6-5 on the Shelton serve. The 21-year-old’s backhand went long to seal victory for the home team.  

Watch the video below:

Not going anywhere.@carlosalcaraz and @CasperRuud98 get Team Europe within one point of Team World.#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/0CZVWO6Zrm

— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 22, 2024

“It was a bit humiliating last night,” Ruud told the crowd after their win. “I felt like I’d never played doubles before, I felt embarrassed, but I went to bed knowing Carlos had said he’d like to play doubles with me. I don’t know why, but I’m glad he did. He’s such a great guy, and he brought out the best in me today,” he added.

Also Watch: Carlos Alcaraz jokingly escorts Frances Tiafoe to Team World’s dugout during intense Laver Cup clash

Alcaraz, Ruud, shut down critics with thumping win

Prior to the match, fans criticised putting Ruud alongside Alcaraz as they claimed Norwegian was not very good in doubles. Many called for the Alcaraz-Stefanos Tsitsipas duo to be representing Europe. However, Ruud managed to silence his critics with this impressive win.

“Wrong choices. Carlos Alcaraz & Stefanos Tsitsipas should be the singles match players & make them match 1 & 2. Doubles should be Match 3. American Tony Godsick & On purposely rigged this so Ben Shelton's Team can win Ruud is very bad at Doubles & Alcaraz is almost as bad," one fan commented.

Also Read: ‘They are killing us’- Tennis Top seed Carlos Alcaraz criticizes Tennis schedule