Staff Reporter.
Carlos Alcaraz swept into the third round of Wimbledon on Friday, beating Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.
The Spanish top seed, who reached the last 16 last year, is attempting to become the third-youngest player in the Open Era to win the title after Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg.
The 20-year-old, seen as the greatest threat to defending champion Novak Djokovic, won his opening match against French veteran Jeremy Chardy on Tuesday.
But heavy rain has played havoc with the schedule at the All England Club – Djokovic, in action later Friday against Stan Wawrinka, is a round ahead of his rival.
A single break was enough for Alcaraz to seal the first set and he won the second-set tie-break to take an iron grip on the contest.
He broke 84th-ranked Muller again in the eighth game of the third set and served out for the match.
The US Open champion won his first grass court title at Queen’s last month.
“I’m really, really happy to play here again and this time with a win on this really beautiful court,” he said. “I wanted to enjoy every single second and I think I did.”
Alcaraz said he was learning quickly on grass – he is playing in only his fourth tournament on the surface.
“I’m playing really, really well on grass. I’m not an experienced guy like other players but I’m enjoying playing on grass… getting better every match that I play.
“Playing here in Wimbledon is something special. You feel different compared to other tournaments.”
Medvedev reaches Wimbledon 3rd round after interrupted match.
Daniil Medvedev returned to Wimbledon’s No 2 court on Friday to wrap up a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) win against Adrian Mannarino after the match was suspended the previous evening due to poor light.
The Russian third seed, 27, led the second-round encounter by two sets and 4-4 against his French opponent when play was halted on Thursday.
Both players won two service games on Friday, taking the third set into a tie-break.
Former US Open champion Medvedev squandered his first match point when he double-faulted but he sealed the win when Mannarino went long with a forehand.
Rune dazzles on way to third round
Danish sixth seed Holger Rune dazzled a packed crowd on Wimbledon’s Court Three as he beat Spain’s Roberto Carlos Baena on Friday to reach the third round of Wimbledon.
The charismatic 20-year-old produced his full repertoire of silky shot-making to win 6-3 7-6(3) 6-4.
Rune became only the fourth Dane to reach the men’s third round at Wimbledon and the first for nearly 20 years.
“He made it very difficult and didn’t give me anything for free, but I think I managed to raise my level and close to the end I got unbelievable support from the crowd,” Rune, who twice had to recover service breaks in the opening set, said on court.
“I love getting the fans involved, it was unbelievable, really cool and I hope we can bring it all the way.”
Rune’s game style and casual demeanour have made him a hit with young fans who chanted “Ruuuuune” at regular intervals, and he responded with some exquisite winners and won many points with cunningly disguised drop shots.
“Grass is not an easy adjustment but it’s a beautiful surface and to play on is beautiful – if you’re playing well,” he said.