LONDON — Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz showcased his trademark resilience and flair on Centre Court, overcoming a stern challenge from Andrey Rublev to secure a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory and book his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
The world No. 3, who lifted the trophy last year in a thrilling final against Novak Djokovic, found himself in early trouble as Rublev's explosive baseline game and relentless aggression pushed him to the brink. However, Alcaraz dug deep, adjusting his tactics and unleashing his full repertoire of shots to turn the match around in front of an enthralled crowd.
Rublev's Early Dominance
The Russian 6th seed came out firing, breaking Alcaraz in the opening game and maintaining his intensity throughout the first set. Rublev's powerful forehand and precision serving kept the Spaniard on the back foot, with Alcaraz struggling to find his rhythm. "He was hitting everything so hard, and I couldn't find my timing," Alcaraz admitted in his post-match interview.
Key moments in the first set:
- Rublev converted his first break point with a blistering cross-court winner
- The Russian saved two break points at 4-3 with clutch serving
- Alcaraz made 12 unforced errors compared to Rublev's 6
The Alcaraz Fightback
The second set saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Alcaraz began to impose his game. The 21-year-old started mixing up his shots more effectively, using his drop shot to great effect and finding more depth on his groundstrokes. "I knew I had to change something. The drop shot was working well, and I started to play more aggressively," Alcaraz explained.
The turning point came in the sixth game of the second set when Alcaraz broke Rublev's serve with a stunning passing shot. From there, the Spaniard grew in confidence, showcasing his trademark variety:
- Won 83% of points at the net (15/18) in sets 2-4
- Hit 12 aces after the first set
- Converted 4/5 break point opportunities
Crucial Third Set Battle
The third set proved decisive, with both players producing their best tennis. Rublev saved three break points in a marathon fifth game that lasted nearly 15 minutes, but Alcaraz eventually broke through in the ninth game with a breathtaking backhand winner down the line. The Spaniard then served out the set with authority, punctuating it with a 128mph ace.
Rublev refused to go quietly in the fourth, saving two match points at 3-5 with fearless hitting. However, Alcaraz held his nerve in the next game, sealing victory on his third match point when Rublev sent a forehand long after 2 hours and 48 minutes of pulsating action. "Andrey made me work for every single point. This is why Wimbledon is so special - you have to dig deep against the best players," Alcaraz said.
Looking Ahead: Norrie Awaits
Alcaraz's victory sets up a quarter-final clash with British No. 1 Cameron Norrie, who overcame unseeded American Tommy Paul in four sets. The Spaniard leads their head-to-head 4-1, including a straight-sets win at last year's Cincinnati Masters. However, Norrie will have strong crowd support and has shown impressive form on grass this season.
Key factors for the quarter-final:
- Norrie's left-handed game could trouble Alcaraz's backhand
- Alcaraz has won 12 consecutive matches at Wimbledon
- Norrie reached the semifinals in 2022, his best Wimbledon result
As the defending champion continues his title defense, his ability to adapt mid-match against Rublev sends a warning to the remaining field. "Carlos showed why he's the future of tennis today," said former champion John McEnroe in commentary. "When he's down, he finds another gear. That's what champions do." With Djokovic and Sinner also advancing, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this year's Championships.