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Most players after dropping the first set would probably start to panic just a bit in the match.
But Carlos Alcaraz is not most players.
In fact, early in the second set on Centre Court against No. 14 seed Andrey Rublev, the charismatic Spaniard smiled as if he relished the struggle ahead.
Ultimately, the second-seeded Alcaraz solved the challenge facing him as he completed a satisfying 6-7(5) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory to return to the Wimbledon quarterfinals and keep his quest for a third straight title alive.
“Andrey is one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful player we have on tour,” Alcaraz said after the match. “Without a doubt. With that aggression with the ball, the forehand, those shots, it’s really difficult. To face him is kind of, you feel he’s pushing you to the limit every ball running side to side. I’m really happy with the way I moved today. I think I played smart today. I’m really proud about that.”
Rublev, who has been open about his mental health struggles in the last few years, played some of his best tennis in a long time to give the defending champion a real test on Sunday evening.
Rublev broke serve early in the opening set. After breaking Alcaraz once again later on, Rublev surged ahead 4-1 after striking a sweeping forehand swing volley winner. Alcaraz bounced back to pull even at 4-all and soon enough both men entered into a tiebreak.
The 22-year-old Alcaraz earned the first mini break after winning an extended rally that saw him run on all sides of the court. Yet Rublev kept his composure. Rublev eventually took the tiebreak with first a great backhand pass and then a deep forehand winner in the corner on set point.
The defining moment of the match that turned things around came midway in the second set. At 3-all, Alcaraz came up with stellar points in a row to break Rublev. First a great forehand pass, then a great return to set up a forehand winner, and then finally, a sliding forehand passing shot winner.
From there, Alcaraz secured the second set 6-3. Though Rublev competed with valor, Alcaraz was locked in and showed no signs of letting the match out of his hands.
Alcaraz took hold of a service break in the third set. He clinched it soon enough on set point with a potent drop shot winner.
After getting another break in the fourth set, Alcaraz rode that advantage to victory with a final serve that proved too good for his opponent to handle. Both men were even on unforced errors at 36 each. Yet Alcaraz hit 41 winners over Rublev’s 29.
Next up for Alcaraz is British fan favorite Cameron Norrie.