Alcarras contributes to the progress of the European team and reports of condemnation of Manchester City

The Spanish Carlos Alcarras contributed to the European team leading the world team 3-1, on the first day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament, held in the British capital, London, by winning with the Czech Jakub Menchik in the doubles competition.

The world number three, who is playing only his second tournament since his return from a 4-month absence due to injury, gave a remarkable performance under the watchful eyes of legends Rod Laver and Roger Federer. He and Menchik defeated Kazakh Alexander Bublik and American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4.

Alcarras intends to play fewer tournaments in the future, blaming the “impossible” tennis calendar for the increasing number of injuries in the game.

But the winner of seven major titles said before the start of the competitions that “love” for group competitions helps him “restore my happiness on the court and restore my happiness in playing tennis.”

Alkaras and Menchik seemed in their best spirits; One break of serve was enough in each set to give Europe the advantage on the opening day.

The French European team captain, Yannick Noah Alcarras, and the German Alexander Zverev, the Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows champion, were left on the bench earlier on Friday.

Norwegian Casper Ruud gave the first point in the tournament after he narrowly defeated Argentine Francisco Cerundolo 10-8 in a decisive tiebreaker.

American Brandon Nakashima responded for the world team, defeating Menchik in a tiebreak after sharing the first two sets.

Rising Spanish player Rafael Khodar was more convincing in his first appearance in the Laver Cup, defeating Bublik 6-2, 6-3.

The team that first reaches 13 points in the tournament held over 3 days at the O2 Hall in London will be crowned champion.

Each win is worth one point on Friday, two points on Saturday, and three points on Sunday.

The World Team holds the title of this tournament, which was launched by the Swiss Federer in 2017. But Europe still leads the champions’ record, having won the title 5 times in 8 editions.

This year, the European team is led by Yannick Noah, while American Andre Agassi takes over the leadership of the world team.

The chapters of the most widely discussed case in the history of the English Premier League are about to end, after Manchester City was found guilty of almost all charges related to violating financial regulations, while City is expected to file an appeal against the decision.

According to “The Athletic” network, City was convicted on all 115 charges, except for one charge, according to sources familiar with the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not have permission to speak publicly.

A Manchester City spokesman told the network: “The Premier League procedures are still ongoing, and there are important elements that need to be completed, and they are subject to strict confidentiality rules. Accordingly, Manchester City’s position remains consistent with the statement issued by the club in February 2023.”

The English Premier League guide stipulates penalties if City are proven to have violated the regulations, ranging from reprimand, financial fines, and deduction of points, all the way to expulsion from the Premier League.