The China Mail - Erratic Alcaraz battles into Wimbledon fourth round

Alcaraz made 28 unforced errors in an inconsistent display on Centre Court but conjured enough moments of magic to eventually subdue the world number 125 and book his place in the last 16.

The world number two had been pushed to the brink in a five-set win over 38-year-old Italian Fabio Fognini in the first round and looked below his best again in a second-round victory over British amateur Oliver Tarvet.

After grinding out his latest underwhelming win, the Spaniard has plenty of room for improvement.

In contrast to Alcaraz's laboured efforts, world number one Jannik Sinner -- his main rival at the All England Club -- has dropped just 12 games in his first two matches.

It is hardly time for Alcaraz to panic, however.

He has won his past 21 matches since losing to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final in April, a streak that has brought him titles at the Rome Masters, the French Open and Queen's Club.

The 22-year-old, who fought back from two sets down to beat Sinner on clay in an epic final at Roland Garros last month, has won 32 of his 35 Tour-level matches on grass.

The five-time Grand Slam winner's last defeat at Wimbledon came against Sinner in the fourth round in 2022.

Having vanquished Novak Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals, Alcaraz is looking to join an elite group of Wimbledon icons.

He hopes to become the fifth man in the Open Era to win at least three consecutive Wimbledon titles after Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and seven-time champion Djokovic.

Struff had shocked 25th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round and the 35-year-old proved a tricky opponent for Alcaraz as well.

Having fretted about his misfiring serve in the first two matches of his title defence, it was a worrying moment for Alcaraz when he started the match with a double-fault.

The Spaniard managed to win that game and quickly broke Struff's serve twice to wrap up the opening set in just 27 minutes.

Alcaraz looked in complete control when he broke again early in the second set.

Yet his serve woes suddenly returned as he was broken in the next game and again in the eighth, allowing Struff to level the match.

Alcaraz, then still a precocious teenager, had to come from two sets to one down to beat Struff in the Wimbledon first round in 2022.

He was not in quite such a perilous position this time, but the Spaniard was still relieved to take the third set after landing the crucial break in the second game.

Alcaraz was pushed hard in the fourth set before at last delivering the knockout blow.

P.Ho--ThChM