Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz produced an impressive fightback to overcome Andrey Rublev and set up a Wimbledon quarter-final against Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
Alcaraz edged a step closer to becoming only the fifth man in the Open era to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles with a 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory over the Russian 14th seed under the Centre Court roof.
The 22-year-old Spaniard clinched his only break point in both the second and third sets to turn the match around, before a single break of serve again proved enough to end Rublev’s admirable resistance in the fourth.
Alcaraz will face Norrie for a semi-final place after the British number three withstood a fightback from Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry to win in five sets.
On executing his comeback, world number two Alcaraz said in his on-court interview: “It is just about belief in yourself. It doesn’t matter you are set down.
“Tennis can change in one point. One point can change a match completely. You have to stay there all the time, be strong mentally.”
On meeting home favourite Norrie in the next round, he added: “Every time I can turn up on this beautiful court is a gift, so I have to make the most of [it].
“It will be really difficult. Cam is playing great, I know him well. It will be interesting but I’m just excited about playing the quarter-final here.”
