CARLOS ALCARAZ ground his way through to the Wimbledon fourth round.
But the top seed was given a spicy test by red-hot Chilean Nicolas Jarry before eventually claiming a win in four tough sets.
Carlos Alcaraz needed four sets to get past Nicolas Jarry
US Open champion Alcaraz was playing only his third match on Centre Court, this time under the roof as the rain lashed down on South-West London.
At times it was Jarry who seemed more at home, with Alcaraz not really looking like a potential tournament winner.
But when it mattered Alcaraz came up with the moments that counted as the 20-year-old secured a 6-3 6-7 6-3 7-5 win in three hours and 56 minutes.
From the outset, this had the feel of a long afternoon for the world No1, who was giving away six inches to the long-limbed Chilean.
Alcaraz has a relentless approach and a forehand pass earned the first break point of the match in the eighth game, converted when the South American netted a backhand.
The Spaniard’s own backhand offered more slices than a master butcher with a joint of ham in front of him and he served out to take the opener in 44 minutes.
But Alcaraz was not at the top of his game and the surprise in the second set was that it went to a tie-break after Jarry’s early break should have been enough.
The Chilean, seemingly in control, paid the price for three loose shots in a row to hand the advantage back but after 13 straight points with serve in the breaker, it was Alcaraz who buckled with a backhand that was never going to clear the net.
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Game on, with two hours on the clock.
But dropping a set for the first time this week was the spark Alcaraz needed.
A stunning running forehand cross-court pass helped him to make the key break in the fourth game, Alcaraz pumping the air when an errant return clinched the set at the second time of asking.
Yet there was another twist, two double faults and a pulled backhand gifting Jarry the early break in the fourth set.
Jarry then emerged from a service game of six deuces, only to crack under the Alcaraz bombardment in the seventh game, recovering well to take it to another tie-break
And when that pressure told again, Jarry went wide with the court at his mercy and then was beaten by a brilliant pushed backhand return, there was no way back.
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Eventually, Alcaraz sealed it, saving a break-back point with a body serve before crunching down two unreturnable deliveries to bring the crowd to their feet.
Alcaraz said: “It was really tough and I’m just happy to get through.
“I had to stay focused. I knew I would get my chances at some point but it was very close and he hit some great shots. When it’s like that, you have to believe and stay focused all the time.”
Asked about playing on Wimbledon’s iconic Centre Court, he added: “I remember a lot of matches I watched since I was a kid that were played on this court, so many videos of the legends and the epic matches here.
“So I’m really happy to have played here. It’s something I dreamed of doing when I started playing tennis.
“On this court you feel something special. It’s the most beautiful court I’ve played on.”
Alcaraz dropped the second set but battled to win in four
Jarry will be ruing having the break in the fourth
Alcaraz was playing under the Centre Court roof for the first time
