Two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz narrowly avoided back-to-back singles defeats for the first time in 18 months as Team Europe took a 7-5 lead over Team World at the Laver Cup.
The world number three saved two match points before overcoming Taylor Fritz 6-3 4-6 13-11 in a dramatic deciding tie-break at London’s O2 Arena.
It was Alcaraz’s first singles outing since his late-night quarter-final exit to Ben Shelton at the US Open.
“The drop shot is part of my game,” Alcaraz said after sealing victory with a trademark touch.
“In those really close and important moments, I tried to use it because it was a really good weapon for me in this match.”
American Fritz, whose only previous victory against the Spaniard came during Team World’s triumph in last year’s competition, kept errors to a minimum.
However, Alcaraz struck 42 winners to Fritz’s 20, bringing an audience that included Roger Federer and Andy Murray to their feet.
Facing match point at 8-9 down in the tie break, Alcaraz fired an ace before leaning on a drop shot to stave off a second. He converted his third match point when Fritz failed to retrieve another delicate drop shot over the net.
Earlier on Saturday, Andre Agassi’s Team World had threatened to run away with things.
Alex de Minaur fought back from a set down to shock Alexander Zverev 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 11-9, while American debutant Learner Tien edged Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-3 2-6 10-7.
Following Alcaraz’s singles heroics, Zverev returned to the court alongside Casper Ruud to secure an important 6-4 7-6 (9-7) doubles victory over Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima, keeping Europe ahead going into the final day.
Match wins are worth three points on Sunday, with the first team to reach 13 points lifting the trophy.
Europe are chasing their sixth Laver Cup title, while holders Team World are aiming for their third.