Wimbledon: Carlos Alcaraz holds off Nicolas Jarry’s Challenge to reach fourth round 

Carlos Alcaraz did not have things all his own way Saturday, but he stepped up when needed to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon for the second time.

Competing under the roof on Centre Court, Alcaraz overcame an attacking bombardment from Chilean Nicolas Jarry to advance 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-5 after three hours and 56 minutes. The Spaniard, who rallied from a break down in the fourth set, was quick across the court to show off his defensive skills, before he turned the table in points with his own relentless power.

“It was really, really tough. Nico is a really good player and he played really well,” Alcaraz said. “He deserves to be at the top and I am just really happy with the level I played.

“I had to stay focused. I knew that I would have my chances. It was really, really close. The key is to believe and stay focused the whole time.”

Alcaraz is now 43-4 on the season and is aiming to become the third youngest player to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon, joining 17-year-old Boris Becker and 20-year-old Bjorn Borg. The top seed will continue his quest against former finalist Matteo Berrettini or 19-time tour-level titlist Alexander Zverev on Monday.

“I remember watching a lot of matches from Centre Court,” Alcaraz said. “I am just really happy to play here. This court is really special and one of the most beautiful courts that I have played on.”

If Alcaraz captures his second major title this fortnight, the 2022 US Open champion is guaranteed to remain at No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

In front of a packed crowd, both exchanged heavy blows to split the first two sets. Alcaraz demonstrated great footwork to run around his forehand during the opener, pulling the Chilean around with his power and guile to lead. Jarry remained aggressive in the second set, though, with his first serve causing the top seed problems.

The World No. 28 made 79 per cent of his first deliveries in the second set, backing it up with ferocious strikes to finish points. With a tie-break left to decide the set, Jarry saved one set point at 5/6, before converting his opportunity to level.

Alcaraz stayed focused and quickly gained an early break at the start of the third set. He hit cleanly and frequently drew grasps from the Centre Court crowd with his immense shotmaking, regaining his lead.

Jarry continued to go on the attack in the fourth set, racing into a 4-1 lead. However, Alcaraz came fighting back. He scampered across the baseline on numerous occasions to fire forehand winners past the incoming Jarry, while he earned the crucial break of the set at 5-5 with a backhand return winner. The Spaniard then closed out his seventh win at Wimbledon, and second on Centre Court, on serve.

Alcaraz has lifted five tour-level trophies in 2023, including his first on grass at the Queen’s Club. Last year the 20-year-old fell in the fourth round at Wimbledon against Italian Jannik Sinner.

Jarry was aiming to reach the fourth at The Championships for the first time, which would have equalled his best result at a major. The Chilean, who has won tour-level titles in Geneva and Santiago this year, also advanced to the last 16 at Roland Garros in June.