Carlos Alcaraz outlasted American Frances Tiafoe to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon after a five-set Centre Court thriller on Friday.
Tiafoe led the defending champion by two sets to one, only to let him off the hook in a dramatic and high-level clash on a rainy day in London.
It was a repeat of their epic five-setter in the semi-finals of the 2022 US Open, which Alcaraz won on the way to his first Grand Slam title.
The 21-year-old Spaniard is now one step closer to a fourth major crown after avoiding a shock third-round exit with a 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 triumph.
“Obviously it was a big challenge against Frances, he’s really tough to face and we saw it once again,” said Alcaraz.
“It was really difficult for me to adapt my game, find solutions and put him in trouble.
“I suffered a lot of difficult moments in the fourth set, and I was thinking ‘fight one more ball’. In the tie-break I tell myself I have to go for it. If I lose it, I lose it.”
Tiafoe’s performance was especially remarkable given he was wearing a knee support to protect the injury he suffered when slipping over at Queen’s which put his Wimbledon participation in doubt.
Yet at the start of a hugely entertaining match he grabbed the decisive break his superb returning deserved to take the first set.
Alcaraz hit back in the second but some odd lapses of concentration in the third gifted Tiafoe two break points, with the 26-year-old taking the first after another exhibition-style rally when the Spaniard’s ‘tweener’ floated out.
Alcaraz wriggled out of a hole at 4-4, 0-30 in the fourth, sealing the hold with an ace. He dominated the subsequent tie-break to take a breathless match into a decider.
A slip on the baseline seemed to knock the stuffing out of Tiafoe who suddenly felt his damaged knee, however, with Alcaraz quickly securing a double break and finishing with a drop shot to secure his place in the fourth round.
Others into the fourth round with victories on a rainy day were French Open runner-up Jasmine Paolini, No 19 seed Emma Navarro – the American who eliminated Naomi Osaka earlier in the week – and 2017 US Open runner-up Madison Keys in the women's bracket, and No 10 seed Grigor Dimitrov and No 12 Tommy Paul in the men's draw.
Former US Open champion and British wildcard Emma Raducanu dominated Greek ninth seed Maria Sakkari, beating her 6-2, 6-3 to reach the fourth round where she will face qualifier Lulu Sun.
Second seed Coco Gauff beat British qualifier Sonay Kartal 6-4, 6-0 to reach the fourth round, where she will play fellow American Navarro.
Paolini continued to carry the flag for Italian tennis as the seventh seed beat former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu 7-6, 6-1 to make the fourth round for the first time. The French Open runner-up, who also reached the last 16 at the Australian Open this season, became the first woman from her nation to make the second week at each of the first three Grand Slams in a single year.
"It's strange. When I was watching the (Italian) girls that were winning slams, making finals, I felt like they were so far from me, you know? It's something I'm proud of, but it sounds strange a little bit," Paolini said.
"Flavia Pennetta, Francesca Schiavone, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, I think. They played an amazing level for many years. It's great to have this achievement."
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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Results
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Aatebat Al Khalediah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Avenue, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: My Catch, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
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FORSPOKEN
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Suicide%20Squad%3A%20Kill%20the%20Justice%20League
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Diablo%20IV
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Baldur's%20Gate%203
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The%20Legend%20of%20Zelda%3A%20Tears%20of%20The%20Kingdom
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Marvel's%20Spider-Man%202
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Assassin's%20Creed%20Mirage
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Starfield
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
