(Tennis news) Defeating previous years runner-up Matteo Berrettini in four sets, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Wimbledon quarter finals on Monday. Alcaraz overcame the Italian in a fun contest on Centre Court after falling behind a set, winning 3-6 6-3 6-3 6-3.
The second serve of Alcaraz was successfully attacked in the first set by Matteo Berrettini. The 27-year-old then managed to serve out the set after breaking the Spaniard in the set’s eighth game to grab a 5-3 lead. The Italian frequently attacked the net to put Alcaraz on his heels and scored several goals with volleys and overhead smashes.
In the opening set, Alcaraz was only able to win 43% of the points on his second serve. After losing a set to Nicolas Jarry in the third round, it was the Spaniard’s second dropped set thus far in the competition.
From the second set on, Alcaraz entered the forecourt more frequently while making excellent use of drop volleys. The Italian was regularly dragged to the net by the World No. 1, who used more drop shots.
Alcaraz won the game thanks to his stronger net touch and his capacity to hit consistently from either wing. Berrettini frequently chose to play slices off his backhand, giving the Spaniard ample opportunity to set the pace with his drop smashes and drop volleys.
From the second set on, Alcaraz entered the forecourt more frequently while making excellent use of drop volleys. The Italian was regularly dragged to the net by the World No. 1, who used more drop shots.
Alcaraz won the game thanks to his stronger net touch and his capacity to hit consistently from either wing. Berrettini frequently chose to play slices off his backhand, giving the Spaniard ample opportunity to set the pace with his drop smashes and drop volleys.
This victory set up a match with Holger Rune, who defeated Grigor Dimitrov in four sets. The match between Alcaraz and Rune will be the first Wimbledon quarterfinal to be played between two players under the age of 21 since the Open Era began.
When their fourth-round match was resumed, Novak Djokovic defeated Hubert Hurkacz in four sets to progress to the quarterfinals. Christopher Eubanks, an unseeded American, caused the day’s biggest upset by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets.
In a replay of last year’s championship match, defending champion Elena Rybakina will take on Ons Jabeur in the women’s quarterfinals after the Tunisian defeated Petra Kvitova in straight sets.
The 16-year-old Russian qualifier Mirra Andreeva lost to Madison Keys in the fourth round, ending her tournament run, and she refused to shake hands with the umpire after the contentious result.
Also read: Carlos Alcaraz set to face Matteo Berrettini at Wimbledon 2023
