Alcaraz knocks out Rublev to return to Wimbledon quarter-finals

Carlos Alcaraz recovered from dropping the first set to overcome Andrey Rublev 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 and return to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon after an entertaining encounter.

It is the Spaniard’s third straight appearance in the last eight at SW19, having won the title for the past two years running.

Alcaraz keeps his search for a sixth Grand Slam title and a third straight Wimbledon crown on track after another wonderful performance.

Rublev played his part in an entertaining match, nudging a break ahead before being reeled back in by the world No 2. The Russian kept his composure admirably to take the tiebreak and move into a one-set lead.

But there was never much doubt that Alcaraz would come roaring back. Another tight and competitive set went the way of the Spaniard as he broke in the tenth game before winning the next two with a single break in each set.

Alcaraz, ranked No 2, will play Englishman Cameron Norrie next.

In the previous rounds of The Championships, the 22-year-old Spaniard beat German Jan-Lennard Struff (6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4), English qualifier Oliver Tarvet (6-1, 6-4, 6-4) and Italian Fabio Fognini (7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1).

Rublev, ranked No 14, won against French qualifier Adrian Mannarino (7-5, 6-2, 6-3), South African Lloyd Harris (6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-3) and Serb Laslo Djere (6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (9), 7-6 (6)) earlier in the tournament.

London (Grand Slam), other last-16 results (All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, grass, GBP 53.500.000, most recent results first):

• Jannik Sinner vs. Grigor Dimitrov
• Ben Shelton vs. Lorenzo Sonego
• Alex De Minaur vs. Novak Djokovic
• Marin Cilic vs. Flavio Cobolli
• Cameron Norrie beat Nicolas Jarry (Q): 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (7), 6-7 (5), 6-3
• Taylor Fritz (5) beat Jordan Thompson: 6-1, 3-0 ret.
• Karen Khachanov (17) beat Kamil Majchrzak: 6-4, 6-2, 6-3