Wimbledon: Alcaraz comes through stern Jarry test to advance to fourth round

Carlos Alcaraz came through his first real test at Wimbledon this year, overcoming a brilliant performance from his Chilean opponent

Carlos Alcaraz wins at Wimbledon 2023 © Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

July 8, 2023

Wimbledon •Third round • completed

See draw

C. AlcarazvsN. Jarry

Carlos Alcaraz was given a thorough examination of his Wimbledon title credentials as he edged out Chilean Nicolas Jarry, the No. 25 seed, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the last 16 of the Championships.

Jarry, who was been in superb form of late, gave the Spaniard a very difficult task to overcome as he mixed power, precision and variety of shot-making with excellent serving to go toe-to-toe with the world No. 1.

Jarry continues career renaissance with excellent Centre Court showing

Nicholas Jarry has been one of the surprise packages in men’s tennis in recent weeks. He hit form during the clay-court swing when he dispatched Ruud, Zverev and Dimitrov to win the title in Geneva, before making the fourth round at Roland-Garros.

The Chilean has shown that he can also carry that type of tennis onto the grass as he again impressed at Grand Slam level with his showing at Wimbledon.

Having lost the first set, Jarry’s form improved in the second as he kept the US Open champion at bay on his serve. The pair swapped breaks during the set, with Jarry having moved ahead early on, before navigating his way to a tiebreak that the Chilean had the nous and mental resolve to win.

Alcaraz upped the pressure in the third, with Jarry forcing the 20-year-old to bring out some of his best tennis to move ahead by two sets to one.

But, again, the tireless Jarry hit back, breaking Alcaraz for a second time to nudge ahead in what turned out to be the final set of the match.

The Spaniard was able to wrestle the set back on serve, before breaking again late on to clinch a challenging encounter.

Alcaraz looking sharp and handling the pressure at Wimbledon

With the win, Alcaraz has equalled his best finish at Wimbledon, having also made the fourth round last year.

This time round, both the pressure to perform and his ability to do so have increased. Currently, the young man from Murcia is handling everything that is being thrown at him during the UK grass-court summer at a time when the spotlight is on him like never before.

The 20-year-old Spaniard had been comfortable at Wimbledon before today’s match, defeating Frenchman Jeremy Chardy (6-0, 6-2, 7-5) and Frenchman Alexandre Muller (6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-3) en route to the third round.

Things do not get any easier for the world No. 1 and top seed, however. He will face the winner of the match between Alexander Zverev and Matteo Berrettini next – either of whom would pose another significant challenge.

Carlitos charms the Centre Court crowd

For now, though, Alcaraz is through and a popular winner. With his boyish charm and an infectious love for the game, Carlitos is already a hit with the British crowd, and gained many admirers during his title win at Queen’s.

But he has endeared himself to the Wimbledon faithful even more after his display against Jarry, as well as a nod to Centre Court’s iconic beauty.

“It has been really tough. Nicolas is a really great player, coming in playing really well. We played in Rio and it was a really tough match, here as well,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview after the match.

“I was really happy with the level I played to get through this round. The energy we received was a special energy so thank you very much.

“I am really happy to play here – it is something I dreamed since I very young.

“This court is the most beautiful court I have played on.”

Luckily for him – and us – it seems likely there will be many more matches on Centre Court for this young man to play.

London (Grand Slam), other third-round results (All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, grass, GBP 16.077.000, most recent results first):