Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz improved his five-set record in a Grand Slam to 10 at the 2024 Wimbledon after a pulsating third-round win over Frances Tiafoe. Hard hitting and resilient, the Murcia maestro proved never to give up amid the threat of defeat, finally sealing victory with a 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6[2], 6-2 scoreline.
Played under the closed roof of Centre Court, the match was an exhibition of tennis prowess, with both athletes involved in fierce and long rallies. Alcaraz dug deeper into his reserves and turned it on when needed, crushing with pressured groundstrokes to win it after three hours and 51 minutes of court time. In return for this win, he boosted his record to one of the most phenomenal 12-1 in fifth-set deciders at major tournaments.
Coming into the competition off the back of winning his last 10 Wimbledon matches, including over Novak Djokovic in a memorable final the previous year, Alcaraz definitely did have a stern challenge in Tiafoe. The plus for Tiafoe is that he put in a real spirited effort in the early sets but just couldn't continue his level in the deciding set against a very determined Alcaraz.
The victory would propel Alcaraz into the fourth round at SW19 for the third year in a row, pitting him against the winner of the contest between France's Ugo Humbert and American Brandon Nakashima. The 22-year-old Spaniard seeks a third title this season and his fourth Grand Slam of his career, fresh from becoming the youngest male player to win a major on all different surfaces after winning Roland Garros.
Other noteworthy contests witnessed Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov power past France's Gael Monfils in straight sets, and USA's Tommy Paul obliterate Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan to make it through to the next round.
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