Carlos Alcaraz moved closer to defending his Wimbledon title with a hard-fought victory over Ugo Humbert. The 21-year-old Spaniard defeated the 16th seed 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 to advance to the last eight.
The win extended Alcaraz’s Grand Slam winning streak to 11, following his French Open triumph last month. “I feel great playing today, I think I played a really high level,” said Alcaraz. “Playing a leftie, I try not to think about it and play my own game.”
Alcaraz will face either compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut or American 12th seed Tommy Paul, the Queen’s Club champion, in the quarter-finals.
In other action, world number one Jannik Sinner defeated American 14th seed Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (11-9). Sinner, 22, will play Daniil Medvedev next, after the Russian fifth seed advanced following Grigor Dimitrov’s early retirement due to a leg injury.
Dimitrov, the Bulgarian 10th seed, took a medical timeout before deciding not to continue at 5-3 down in the first set.
Alcaraz’s match against Humbert began in a relatively straightforward manner, with the three-time major winner taking the first two sets with ease. However, Alcaraz faltered in the third set, allowing Humbert to capitalize and take the set 6-1.
The fourth set saw both players struggle to hold serve, with Alcaraz turning to the crowd for support. With the backing of the fans, Alcaraz found another gear, breaking for a 6-5 lead and then serving out the match. He expressed his relief by applauding all four corners of Centre Court.
Sinner ‘Glad to Close it in Three’
Under the roof on Court One, Shelton, who had played on six of the seven days of the tournament so far, fell two sets down in just over an hour. Despite fighting back in the third set, Shelton ultimately succumbed to Sinner, who saved set points and secured victory when Shelton double-faulted at 10-9 down.
“It was a tough match, especially the third set. I had to keep saving set point. These matches can go long but I was glad to close it in three,” said Sinner.