Thriller at Wimbledon

Wimbledon: Alcaraz against Tiafoe LIVE today

Great relief for Carlos Alcaraz

(Bild: AFP)

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz averted a bitter disappointment in the third round of the All England Tennis Championships at Wimbledon on Friday. The Spanish tennis star defeated the American Frances Tiafoe in five sets and after 3:50 hours 5:7, 6:2, 4:6, 7:6(2) and 6:2 at the grass court tournament in London, thus avoiding an early exit.

On the center court, under a closed roof, Alcaraz put in a disappointing performance at times and twice had to come back from a set down. After 3:50 hours, the 21-year-old nevertheless prevailed and is now through to the round of 16. Here he will face Ugo Humbert (FRA-16) or Brandon Nakashima (USA). This match, like others, had to be interrupted for a long time due to rain.

For Alcaraz, his second triumph at Wimbledon remains a possibility. A year ago, Alcaraz impressed with his victory in the final over the Serbian record Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic. Earlier, the Bulgarian number 10 seed Grigor Dimitrov had already reached the last 16 with a three-set victory over France's former star Gael Monfils and number 12 Tommy Paul (USA), also without dropping a set against Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan.

Paolini makes history
In the women's singles, surprise French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini from Italy showed that she is also in good shape on grass. After beating former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu (CAN) 7:6(4), 6:1, she is through to the last 16. Paolini had already reached the last 16 in Melbourne. The fact that an Italian woman has reached at least the round of 16 in each of the first three Major tournaments is a first in the country's history.

Ofner/Weissborn progress
And from an Austrian perspective, there was still reason to celebrate: Sebastian Ofner, who was eliminated in five sets in the first round in the singles, defeated Alejandro Tabilo (COL) and his partner Diego Hidalgo (COL) 7:5, 6:4 in the doubles alongside Sam Weissborn. Their next opponents are Sebastian Baez/Dustin Brown (ARG/JAM).

WIMBLEDON (Grand Slam, 50 million pounds, grass):
MEN - 3rd round:

Jannik Sinner (ITA-1) - Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 6:1,6:4,6:2
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP-3) - Frances Tiafoe (USA-29) 5:7,6:2,4:6,7:6(2),6:2
Daniil Medvedev (RUS-5) - Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 6:1,6:3,4:6
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL-10) - Gael Monfils (FRA) 6:3,6:4,6:3
Tommy Paul (USA-12) - Alexander Bublik (KAZ-23) 6:3,6:4,6:2

WOMEN - 3rd round:

Coco Gauff (USA-2) - Sonay Kartal (GBR) 6:4,6:0
Emma Raducanu (GBR) - Maria Sakkari (GRE-9) 6:2,6:3
Jasmine Paolini (ITA-7) - Bianca Andreescu (CAN) 7:6(4),6:1
Madison Keys (USA-12) - Marta Kostjuk (UKR-18) 6:4,6:3
Paula Badosa (ESP) - Daria Kasatkina (RUS-14) 7:6(6),4:6,6:4

MEN'S DOUBLE - 1st round:
Sebastian Ofner/Sam Weissborn (AUT) - Diego Hidalgo/Alejandro Tabilo (COL/CHI) 7:5,6:4

Ofner/Weissborn in round two against Sebastian Baez/Dustin Brown (ARG/JAM)