Xinhua
05 Jul 2025, 08:45 GMT+10
LONDON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz remained on course for a third straight Wimbledon title after defeating Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round on Friday.
The second-seeded Spaniard secured a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, converting five of 12 break points. He excelled on second returns, winning 34 of 55 points - a key factor in his win.
"I think I returned pretty well. It just puts so much pressure on his serve. I think it was the key today," the 22-year-old said.
Alcaraz will next take on 14th seed Andrey Rublev, who eased past Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.
The two-time champion anticipates a tough match against the aggressive Russian.
"He's a really powerful player. I think he plays really well on grass because he always loves to be aggressive," he said.
"When he finds his forehand, I think he likes to move his opponent from side to side. It's going to be really difficult because on grass, the movement is the most difficult thing to do," he added.
Meanwhile, fifth-seeded American Taylor Fritz advanced with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1 win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and will meet Australia's Jordan Thompson in the next round. Thompson defeated Italy's Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
In the women's draw, top seed Aryna Sabalenka overcame a spirited challenge from Britain's Emma Raducanu, winning 7-6 (6), 6-4.
Trailing 4-1 in the second set, Sabalenka rallied to claim five consecutive games.
"Emma played such incredible tennis and she pushed me really hard to get this win," said Sabalenka.
"I had to fight for every point to get this win," the 27-year-old Belarusian added.
Elsewhere, Australian Open champion Madison Keys fell to 37-year-old German Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-3, while former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka squandered a set lead to lose 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Get a daily dose of Herald Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Herald Globe.
More InformationPresident Donald Trump's plans to build a space-based Golden Dome missile defense shield have drawn immediate criticism from China,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Paramount has agreed to pay US$16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over...
LONDON, U.K.: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in Parliament this week to move ahead with changes to the country's welfare...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...
GENEVA, Switzerland: A new United Nations report alleges that dozens of global corporations are profiting from and helping sustain...
LONDON, UK - Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have voted overwhelmingly to proscribe the direct-action group Palestine Action as a terrorist...
LONDON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz remained on course for a third straight Wimbledon title after defeating...
(Photo credit: Adam Hagy-Imagn Images) On Saturday, the elimination portion of NASCAR's inaugural In-Season Challenge will begin...
(Photo credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images) Chase Briscoe had enough gas to get to the end and hold off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny...
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): Former captain and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey confirmed that the board hasn't received any...
Port of Spain [Trinidad and Tobago], July 4 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the joint assembly of Trinidad and...
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], July 4 (ANI): Legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his wife Sakshi Singh have completed 15 years...