Wimbledon update: Carlos Alcaraz reaches quarter-finals

World No 3, and defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, overcame France’s Ugo Humbert on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

The two players had never previously met, but like his third round match against Frances Tiafoe last Friday, Sunday proved to be yet another test for Alcaraz who faltered and lost the third set against Humbert, before turning things around and winning in four (6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5) in just under three hours.

Once again, Alcaraz dug deep to find his best form when he needed to.

The challenges he overcame will no doubt help in his next round – against the champion of Queens, Tommy Paul.

Undoubtedly, those challenges have brought out some of Alcaraz’s best form. Even the signature drop shots worked seamlessly on grass on the day.

CARLOS ALCARAZ FEELING ‘OPTIMISTIC’

Earlier this year, Alcaraz worked on improving his serve, with the help of coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The improvements are biomechanical changes, involving one, instead of two pauses during his racquet take back, in order to improve the rhythm when striking the ball in motion.

The technique has paid dividends on Wimbledon’s grass, particularly when he has needed it.

On Sunday he won 63 points on his first serve, while Humbert managed to win 45 first serve points.

Carlos Alcaraz’s win was bolstered by his 14 aces, and conversion of six break point opportunities.

‘KEY MOMENTS’

At his post-match press conference at Wimbledon, he was optimistic.

“It’s always great to qualify to the quarter-finals. I’m feeling great on the court. I think I’m getting better and better every match that I’m playing. Feeling really comfortable on the court, hitting good points, good shots”.

When asked about some key moments in the match where he had a dip in concentration, Carlos Alcaraz replied: “There was a certain point that I couldn’t find my good read on the serve. I felt like he was reading my serve, he was reading my shots very, very well in every point that we were playing. It was difficult for me to find the solutions in that moment. But tennis is like this. I had 40-Love down in the fourth set. A few serves that I did pretty well. Saved that game. It was kind of I increase my tennis, increase my intensity, and got the win at the end”.

Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively for The South African from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon