Key Takeaways
- Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik defeated Alex De Minaur and Taylor Fritz 7-5 6-3 in match 9 at the Laver Cup in London to bring Team Europe within one win of the title.
- Flavio Cobolli celebrated his first career Laver Cup match victory, admitting: “It’s the third year that I came to the Lever Cup and I never won a match. So, I’m really happy that happens here.”
- Jakub Mensik praised the pair’s resilience after an erratic beginning, noting: “In the few first games we were the worst ones on the court but yeah then we get into it I started to feel more comfortable.”
Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik secure crucial doubles victory in London
Team Europe moved within touching distance of reclaiming the Laver Cup trophy after Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik produced an inspired doubles display at The O2 in London. The European duo defeated Team World pairing Alex De Minaur and Taylor Fritz 7-5 6-3 in match 9, leaving their side just a single victory away from lifting the title.
The win carried special personal meaning for Cobolli, who had endured a difficult history at the competition prior to taking the court in the British capital. “You know, it’s the third year that I came to the Lever Cup and I never won a match,” Cobolli explained in their post-match on-court interview. “So, I’m really happy that happens here in London where I love to play especially with one of my best friend on tour. So, it’s really great now. I’m really happy.”
Cobolli was also quick to admit that doubles is far from his primary focus on the ATP Tour, which made the high-stakes performance alongside Mensik all the more surprising. “I don’t know. I mean, I’m not double specialist,” Cobolli remarked with a smile. “I almost hate doubles during the year, but yeah, one of the best performance ever for me.”
Jakub Mensik bounces back to guide Team Europe past Team World
The match did not begin smoothly for the European tandem. After enduring early trouble on serve, Mensik found his range and took over proceedings from the baseline and around the net. “Great start for us and yeah I mean we didn’t start at well especially me on the serve I struggled to find the rhythm a little bit so it’s never easy to when you start losing,” Mensik said. “And in the few first games we were the worst ones on the court but yeah then we get into it I started to feel more comfortable.”
Mensik drew praise during the broadcast from commentator Patrick McEnroe, who labeled the Czech player the most valuable performer on court. A pivotal moment arrived on set point in the first set, when Mensik produced a blistering return to tip the contest decisively in Europe’s direction.
“As far as me and doubles more I’m playing I’m getting better,” Mensik said, referencing his earlier teamwork during the competition. “So definitely with Carlos the first they helped a lot and yeah on the return I was feeling really great and yeah on the net I would say yeah it was it was not bad I guess.”
With Team Europe standing on the brink of unseating reigning champions Team World, Cobolli was asked if he felt certain that 2026 would be Europe’s year to seal the championship. Keeping his focus entirely on the remaining rubber, Cobolli delivered a lighthearted response: “Can I answer in 3 hours?”
Flavio Cobolli in 2026
At the moment ranked no.7, the Italian played his last match on the 27th of September when he surrendered to world no.27 Alexander Blockx 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0 6-3 in the 3rd round of the U.S. Open (draw).
This season Flavio achieved a composed 33-20 match record. Cobolli clinched 1 title in Acapulco.
