Taylor Fritz put Team World to within one win of capturing its first Laver Cup after the American saw off Europe’s Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-7(3), 10-5 in a barnstorming match that left his side 11-7 up with two matches to play.
Fritz, a replacement for injured Nick Kyrgios, followed up on John Isner and Jack Sock’s 5-7, 6-4, 10-8 defeat of Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“That was such a big match for Team World to win, we really needed that,” said Fritz.
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“This has to be one of the biggest wins of my career. It means so much more when you’re playing for other people as well,” added Fritz.
World had come into the final day 7-5 down but was boosted by Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal with a hand injury.
Meanwhile on Saturday, Sock and Kyrgios had paired up to defeat Nadal and Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6, 10-6 after Nadal had defeated Milos Raonic in his first match since his US Open triumph.
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Nadal, who won his 19th Grand Slam title in New York, overcame the Canadian 6-3, 7-6(1) after defending eight break points in the first set.
The results:Europe trails World 11-7 [Dominic Thiem lost to Taylor Fritz 7-5, 6-7(3), 10-5; Roger Federer & Stefanos Tsitsipas lost to John Isner & Jack Sock 5-7, 6-4, 10-8; Saturday: Rafael Nadal bt Milos Raonic 6-3, 7-6(1); Rafael Nadal & Stefanos Tsitsipas lost to Nick Kyrgios & Jack Sock 6-4, 3-6, 10-6] .