Carlos Alcaraz is on track to win back-to-back Grand Slam titles after driving into the fourth round at Wimbledon.
But the Spaniard did things the hard way in his round three battle with Frances Tiafoe, having predicted the pair to play out a ‘really fun match’ on centre court.
Whether Alcaraz thought it was fun or not during their intense meeting is uncertain, with the duo having played out a five-set thriller.
The 29th seed did his utmost to upset the defending champion, but Alcaraz did just enough to secure a 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(7-2), 6-2 win.
American ace Tiafoe will leave Wimbledon with his head held high despite the loss, with the Spanish star now into the last 16 in London.
Carlos Alcaraz shares why he thrives in fifth sets after his latest Wimbledon win
Alcaraz somewhat unsurprisingly breezed through rounds one and two, defeating Mark Lajal and Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets.
He was, however, forced to go the distance against Tiafoe, although Alcaraz has now revealed that playing five sets does not pose much of a problem, with the Spaniard now boasting a 12-1 record, as per Tennis TV.
“I am feeling great physically,” Alcaraz said in his third round press conference. “In the fifth set, I think I increase my level.
“Feeling great physically helps you a lot to, let’s say play more calm than the opponent. I am feeling much better than the opponent physically and mentally.
“I know the other guy has to play a really high level of tennis and intensity in the fifth set to beat me, and that helps me to deal a lot better with difficult situations in the fifth set.
“I am playing with the stats that I have just lost one match in the fifth set, it is an advantage to me, but that’s why I am feeling really well physically and in those situations I play at a high level.”
Is Carlos Alcaraz about to defend his Wimbledon title?
Unfortunately for Tiafoe, Alcaraz does not slow down when it comes to the fifth set, with the Spanish ace seemingly gaining a second win on the court.
The American meanwhile may have been slightly more fatigued than his opponent due to his previous efforts at the tournament.
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Tiafoe overcame Borna Coric in straight sets in round two, but was forced to come back from two sets down for the first time in his career against Matteo Arnaldi in round one.
Alcaraz will now meet 16th seed Ugo Humbert in the fourth round, with very tough tests against Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev potentially arriving later on in the tournament.
The world number three will, however, be taking things one match at a time, although John McEnroe has already backed him to lift the trophy.
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