Defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz faced a fierce challenge in his third-round match, ultimately advancing to the fourth round after a hard-fought battle against German Jan-Lennard Struff. Alcaraz, the world number two, overcame Struff in four sets with a scoreline of 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The defending champion expressed relief at securing the victory after being pushed to his limits, stating, “I was suffering in every service game… It was stressful. Every time he could push me, he did. I was trying to survive.”
This latest match witnessed some significant shifts in momentum. Struff had an opportunity to gain momentum but faltered with a missed volley, allowing Alcaraz to capitalize and secure the breaks necessary for his victory. The defending champion is looking to build on this performance as he eyes another title at Wimbledon.
In another notable aspect of the day, American Madison Keys and Japanese star Naomi Osaka both exited the tournament, joining the ranks of prominent players eliminated early. Keys faced a challenging match against Laura Siegemund, who, at 37, became the oldest woman remaining in the singles draw. Keys made an uncharacteristic 31 unforced errors in her match, which plagued her chances.
The day also brought joy for British fans, as both Sonay Kartal and Cameron Norrie moved forward in the tournament. Kartal demonstrated resilience by winning her match against French qualifier Diane Parry after being down 1-4, claiming nine consecutive games to secure a 6-4, 6-2 victory. Norrie continued his strong form by defeating Mattia Bellucci with a score of 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-3, setting up a challenging match against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry.
Ben Shelton impressed with his own advancement, hitting three aces, including two at 140 mph, in his victory over Rinky Hijikata. Other highlights included Taylor Fritz, who moved into the last 16, expressing a renewed sense of vigor despite previously battling tendonitis and other minor injuries.
As Wimbledon progresses, the excitement builds with many players showcasing determination and resilience, hinting at potential thrilling matches ahead. The tournament continues to unfold with a mix of triumphs and challenging defeats, encouraging a wide array of narratives from emerging stars to seasoned champions.
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