British qualifier Oliver Tarvet gave Carlos Alcaraz a run for his money before bowing out of Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old will not see much of the £99,000 he has earned for reaching the second round as he is still a US college student playing under national association rules.
But Tarvet still enjoyed his Centre Court debut despite being unable to cash in on an inconsistent display from the defending champion, eventually losing an entertaining encounter 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
“Big praise to Oliver,” said 22-year-old Alcaraz. “Only his second match on the tour and I just love his game. Some great tennis. I had to be really focused and play my best tennis.”
Tarvet, the world No 733 from St Albans used his speed, skill and inventiveness to twice break the Alcaraz serve, thrilling the home crowd who were officially ‘Oliver’s Army’ for the afternoon.
Alcaraz had never faced a British player in SW19, but he got a taste of that unique atmosphere when Tarvet got a first game on the board by winning a 27-shot rally with a drop-shot followed by a forehand volley.
The noise was cranked up further at the start of the second set when Tarvet finally converted a break point at the ninth attempt and celebrated with a waggle of his index finger.
Alcaraz had struggled on serve in his first match, a five-set ordeal against soon-to-be-retired 38-year-old Fabio Fognini, and Tarvet was also making service games a chore for the second seed.
But when the driver is a little wayward off the tee, he still has plenty of other clubs in his bag to choose from and a stunning backhand smash put him on the way to moving two sets up.
There was still time for Tarvet to help himself to another break in the third, but it was quickly snuffed out with Alcaraz wrapping up victory in two-and-a-quarter hours.
He added: “Playing someone from here is not easy but once against the crowd were really respectful. In know it’s not personal.” PA
06:15 PM BST
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Carlos Alcaraz’s straight-sets victory over British amateur Oliver Tarvet to an end. Thanks for joining us.
06:14 PM BST
‘It’s a gift’ – Alcaraz says ‘enjoying’ his tennis is ‘key’ to winning streak
On his 20-match winning run, he said: “I found the right way, I guess. I’m trying to enjoy, after every match, when I step on the court, I’m just trying to enjoy it.
“Doesn’t matter if I’m winning or losing I think that’s the key, since the last two or three months, having a great winning streak, I’m just trying to keep it going, keep enjoying.
“Playing in this tournament, in this court, I think its a gift.”
06:10 PM BST
‘I know it’s not personal’ – Alcaraz on fans supporting British player
On it being his first time playing a British player at Wimbledon, he said: “After the first round, I know it’s not personal. I’m just really grateful for the support I am receiving here. In every match, every day, every day practise. Its unbelievable to be honest.
“Today playing against someone from here, playing at home, it’s not easy but once again, they were really respectful to me, to the match, to the opponent as well, I love playing in this atmosphere, on this court, once again I enjoyed it so much.”
06:05 PM BST
‘I just loved his game’ – Alcaraz impressed by Tarvet
Speaking on court, Alcaraz told BBC: “First of all I have to give big praise to Oliver, his second match on the tour, I just loved his game to be honest, the level he played in his first match on Centre Court, I know that is really difficult. He (played) some really great tennis.
“I knew at the beginning I had to be really focused, I had to play my best tennis. I think today I just played great tennis, just really happy about my performance today.”
06:01 PM BST
Up next for Alcaraz
Alcaraz will now face either Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jan-Lennard Struff in round three.
05:58 PM BST
Alcaraz wins in straight-sets to progress into round three
Alcaraz bounces up from his seat as he looks to serve this match out now. He goes 15-0 up as Tarvet slices a backhand into the net but is pegged back as the Briton produces a big return of serve.
Tarvet’s next return drifts wide and he finds the net with his forehand on the next point, setting up two match points for the Spaniard.
It’s a big serve which doesn’t make it back over the net and Alcaraz is through to the third round. The pair share kind words at the net before Alcaraz waves to the home crowd, which respond with a big round of applause, despite seeing their man knocked out.
05:54 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 4-6, 4-5 Alcaraz
Tarvet is serving to stay in this match, does he have one final push? He goes 0-15 down as he rattles a backhand into the net but then goes level with a better backhand down the line and into the corner.
Alcaraz scuffs his return of serve into the net and his next one goes well beyond the baseline, making it 40-15 to the Briton.
The Spaniard comes in really close to attack the second serve but can only find the net so he will have to serve this match out.
05:51 PM BST
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 3-5 Alcaraz*
It’s a great response from Tarvet, returning the serve well before crunching a backhand down the line to make it 0-15.
His next return is just long, though, letting Alcaraz off the hook slightly on his second serve. The Spaniard reads a passing shot well on the next point, and controls the backhand volley well into the corner.
Tarvet finds the net with his next return and screams in frustration. He makes it 40-30 with a clever shot at the net but sends his next return of serve long and Alcaraz has the hold, despite slipping on that last serve.
05:46 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 4-6, 3-4 Alcaraz
Tarvet sends an attempted backhand winner just wide and looks incredibly dejected. He will be even more dejected now as Alcaraz pummels a cross-court forehand into the corner. 0-30.
A sloppy backhand into the net and in the blink of an eye Alcaraz has three break points. Wow, a huge return of serve from Alcaraz right into the corner and the Spaniard has the break to love.
Both times the Briton has broken Alcaraz, he has been instantly broken back.
05:43 PM BST
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 3-3 Alcaraz*
Alcaraz starts with a double-fault as he looks to build on that break of serve but dominates the next point to eventually level things, with a smashed winner at the net.
The Spaniard goes long with a forehand, though, and there is a slight opening for Tarvet at 15-30. It’s a big opening now as Alcaraz’s volley at the net drifts wide. Two break points.
The first is saved with a big serve out wide. But the second isn’t! An Alcaraz forehand goes long and the Briton has the instant response to going a break down.
05:37 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 4-6, 2-3 Alcaraz
Alcaraz makes an outrageous get at the net but Tarvet is following in well to finish the point with a really tidy volley on the slide.
It’s another entertaining point as Alcaraz produces a perfectly-executed lob into the corner of the court. Tarvet retreats and pulls off the ‘tweener’ but Alcaraz is waiting at the net to hit the easy winner.
A strong serve sees Tarvet win the next point but a fabulous forehand winner from Alcaraz makes it 30-30.
It’s a weak return from the Spaniard, though, on Tarvet’s second serve, as his sliced forehand drifts long.
But the world No 2 can take it to deuce as Tarvet’s ground-stroke clips the net and bounces up for him to volley away.
A sloppy volley at the net from the Briton goes long and Alcaraz has a break point. He snatches it superbly, hitting a fabulous forehand winner into the corner.
05:31 PM BST
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 2-2 Alcaraz*
Alcaraz kicks off his next service game with an ace down the middle but can’t put the next point away, volleying wide at the net, making it 15 each.
Tarvet lashes a forehand long and lets out another cry of frustration. His next return of serve goes long and Alcaraz is already on the brink of another hold.
Another serve out wide followed by a winner into the opposite corner seals the game for the Spaniard.
05:28 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 4-6, 2-1 Alcaraz
Tarvet slips as he looks to reach a ball in the corner. He is quickly back to his feet as Alcaraz checks on his opponent.
Alcaraz is dominating the next point and looks set to put it away at the net, but the ball lands at his feet and he can’t quite direct his backhand volley over the net.
The Spaniard looks to rip a forehand into the corner but pushes it slightly wide, making it 30-15.
Tarvet’s serve is then unreturned and he seals the game on the next point as Alcaraz comes far too close in on the Briton’s second serve.
05:24 PM BST
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 1-1 Alcaraz*
That’s superb from the Tarvet! The Briton stays in the rally with some sweet hitting and wins the point with a whipped forehand into the corner.
He can’t keep his next return in play, though, while his subsequent one is into the net, making it 30-15 Alcaraz.
Alcaraz hits the Briton with another effective one-two, a big serve followed by a terrific forehand winner, and he wins the game with a superbly-executed serve and volley.
05:20 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 4-6, 1-0 Alcaraz
After taking a break off court, Tarvet emerges to serve at the start of this third set. Can he get himself back in the contest?
He falls 0-15 behind as he sends a backhand into the net, before making it 0-30 as he drags a backhand wide.
A return of serve from Alcaraz drifts long and Tarvet lets out a “come on”.
But a ground-stroke from the Briton goes beyond the baseline and straight away at the start of the set Alcaraz has two break points.
The world No 2 goes for the backhand winner down the line but it’s inches wide and he can’t keep his next return of serve in, so the break points are saved by Tarvet as he takes it to deuce.
Another return from the Spaniard goes long but Tarvet plays a similar shot on the next point and we’re back to deuce.
Alcaraz gets a backhand drop shot all wrong but you can’t say the same about his forehand on the next point, pummelled into the corner at 101mph and back to deuce.
The Briton shows great defence to survive a barrage of Alcaraz ground-strokes, eventually forcing the mistake as the Spaniard finds the net.
Tarvet shows his speed once again to reach a drop-shot and Alcaraz can’t get his flicked passing shot over the net. A crucial hold for the 21-year-old.
05:07 PM BST
Alcaraz serves out the second set
So, after a tight second set, Alcaraz once again finds himself serving for the set. Can Tarvet respond?
Well, the game starts with a double-fault from the Spaniard. But it’s a careless error from Tarvet as he catches the top of the net with a routine backhand, making it 15-15.
Alcaraz opens up the court with his serve and puts the point away with a forehand into the corner. His next serve is unreturned and he has two set points.
An ace right down the middle seals it. Harsh on Tarvet but ruthless from the defending champion.
05:03 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 4-5 Alcaraz
A crucial service game for the Briton now. How is his nerve? Alcaraz starts the game on the front foot and puts away the first point with a superb backhand smash.
He pummels a return on Tarvet’s second serve right at the feet of his opponent and these are dangerous times now for the amateur at 0-30.
A ground-stroke drifts wide and suddenly Alcaraz has three break points. The Briton shouts “soft game” at himself.
The backhand from Tarvet finds the net and it’s a big break to love for the Spaniard as Centre Court is stunned into silence.
04:59 PM BST
Tarvet 1-6, 4-4 Alcaraz*
A Tarvet backhand drifts beyond the baseline to start this next game and it’s followed by a long forehand.
A forehand return of serve is dragged slightly wide and in the blink of an eye it’s 40-0 Alcaraz.
The Spaniard looks to seal the game with a ripped forehand down the line but just catches the top of the net.
But his next serve doesn’t come back and it’s a routine hold for the world No 2.
04:56 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 4-3 Alcaraz
Tarvet comes to the net effectively once again at the start of his next service game, stretching for the forehand volley and sending it into the empty half of the court.
But Alcaraz gets back on level terms with a lovely deep forehand into the corner.
The Spaniard gets on top of the next point and comes to the net but Tarvet produces a sensational forehand passing shot. Centre Court erupts!
The Briton is feeling good now and buries another forehand into the corner to make it 40-15.
A backhand into the net bursts his bubble for a moment but he brings the energy back up as he seals the game at the net.
04:51 PM BST
Tarvet 1-6, 3-3 Alcaraz*
A big serve from the Spaniard down the middle doesn’t come back, making it 15-0, but a forehand goes long to level the scores.
Alcaraz produces an effective body serve, that is returned into the net by Tarvet and the Briton goes long with a ground-stroke on the next point, making it 40-15.
Tarvet keeps the game alive as he hammers a backhand into the corner which Alcaraz can only return into the net.
But the game is wrapped up as Alcaraz sends Tarvet chasing around the court with a series of sweetly-struck backhands.
04:46 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 3-2 Alcaraz
Alcaraz’s forehand is getting going now and he hammers one into the corner to go 0-15 up. But it’s a strong serve from Tarvet to level the score in this game.
Another big serve doesn’t come back and there is a proud smile in the crowd from his mother.
Alcaraz’s backhand return is slightly long, making it 40-15, and his awkward volley at the net fails to make it over on the next point, sealing the game for the Briton.
04:43 PM BST
Tarvet 1-6, 2-2 Alcaraz*
Alcaraz rips a forehand down the line to go 15-0 up but mis-hits a forehand on the next point to make it 15-15.
Tarvet’s return of serve drifts long, much to his annoyance, and his next one is mis-hit into the crowd, making it 40-15.
A member of the crowd does their best to keep the ball but a staff member is quickly on the scene to spoil the party.
A delightful drop-shot seals the game for Alcaraz.
04:39 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 2-1 Alcaraz
Can the Briton build on that break now and hold his serve? A lengthy exchange full of quality hitting at the start of the next game ends with Tarvet finding the net.
Alcaraz then produces a sensational volley at the net, stretching all the way to his right to make it. 0-30 and a chance of an instant break back.
Tarvet sends a forehand well wide and Alcaraz has three break points. A sublime backhand return of serve down the line and he has the break. A shout of “vamos” from the Spaniard.
04:35 PM BST
Tarvet 1-6, 2-0 Alcaraz*
That’s unbelievable. Tarvet looks to have won the point with a volley into the corner but Alcaraz shows great speed before whipping a terrific passing shot down the line.
But the Spaniard follows it up with a wayward forehand that goes beyond the baseline, making it 15-15. Tarvet takes the next point too, crushing a backhand into the corner which sets up the easy volley at the net.
But the Briton sends a forehand into the net, squandering the chance for more break points. 30-30. He gets one now, though, working Alcaraz around the court to set up the easy winner at the net.
And he has it! He pummels a forehand into the corner and Alcaraz can only send his return wide.
04:31 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-6, 1-0 Alcaraz
Well the scoreline of that first set certainly doesn’t tell the full story, with Tarvet squandering eight break points and Alcaraz being threatened in all of his service games.
The Briton starts the second set well, winning the first two points with tidy volleys at the net. A rash forehand from Alcaraz makes it 40-0.
He gets over a forehand on the next point, though, sending it into the middle of the net. It’s another sloppy shot after that as well, sending a backhand into the net from a comfortable position.
But he does hold as his serve is unreturned and he fist-pumps the air.
04:25 PM BST
Alcaraz eventually seals first set
Tarvet’s first return goes long as Alcaraz looks to serve out this first set. His second one is into the net, making it 30-0 to the Spaniard.
But Tarvet manages to send Alcaraz out wide on the next point and the 22-year-old fails to keep his forehand down the line in play.
A somewhat scuffed forehand from Alcaraz deceives his opponent and brings about three set points. His first serve sets up what should be a routine winner, but Tarvet reads it and forces the error. 40-30.
The Briton then shows great speed to get to the drop shot before playing a wonderful shot into the corner which Alcaraz can’t get to, making it deuce.
Would you believe it? He shows great speed once again to come to the net and play a delightful flicked passing shot, earning another break point.
His return of serve goes wide, though, bringing it back to deuce. But it’s another entertaining point, with drop-shots and volleys and, once again, Tarvet comes out on top. Another break point, his seventh of the set.
He looks like he has it but Alcaraz produces a sensational lob. The Briton gets to it but the world No 2 is waiting at the net to volley home. Back to deuce.
It goes on though, a double-fault from Alcaraz brings about another break point. But the Spaniard shows great touch at the net to pull off the serve and volley.
A strong serve earns Alcaraz another set point and he finally seals it as Tarvet sends a volley wide at the net. Great entertainment!
04:16 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-5 Alcaraz
He might be 4-1 up, but this has been far from comfortable for Alcaraz, who appears to be far from his best once again.
His first return of serve in this game clips the net and dribbles over, giving him a 0-15 lead. He holds his hand up to offer an apology.
Tarvet then goes for the forehand winner down the line but catches the tape of the net and he falls 0-30 behind.
Alcaraz’s backhand drop-shot doesn’t quite creep over the net but he then earns two break points, going on the attack and forcing the wayward ground-stroke from the Briton.
The Spaniard nearly clinches it with a whipped forehand down the line but it’s just wide. But he then does secure the double-break, coming to the net and sending a volley into the corner.
04:10 PM BST
Tarvet 1-4 Alcaraz*
Tarvet comes out on top of the opening point of this next game before Alcaraz drags a forehand wide and suddenly the Briton has a 0-30 lead.
Tarvet fails to make an audacious lob on the run, meaning Alcaraz brings it back to 15-30. But the Spaniard skews a backhand wide, and Tarvet has two break points!
The world No 2 saves one of them with an ace sent out wide. It’s brought back to deuce as Tarvet sends his passing shot wide with Alcaraz at the net.
A strong serve sets Alcaraz up nicely to claim the next point and he seals another tricky service game with Tarvet’s return of serve finding the net.
04:05 PM BST
Tarvet* 1-3 Alcaraz
So can Tarvet get a game on the board? He deserves one with the way he has started. The 21-year-old falls behind at the start of this one, though, as a sliced backhand finds the net.
He levels the scores with an ace before taking the lead as Alcaraz fails to deal with a body serve. 30-15.
Alcaraz hammers a cross-court backhand, which Tarvet can’t handle, but the Briton comes out on top of the longest rally of the match on the next point, eventually putting it away at the net to make it 40-30.
Alcaraz’s subsequent return of serve goes long and Tarvet has a game on the board!
03:59 PM BST
Tarvet 0-3 Alcaraz*
Alcaraz comes to the net with effect at the start of his next service game to take the lead before crushing a 115mph forehand into the corner to make it 30-0.
He follows up with an ace, that checks off the line and he nearly hits Tarvet in the head, and this looks more like it from the Spaniard.
He does send a ground-stroke long on the next point, though, before failing to get an awkward volley over the net, and suddenly the pressure is back on the world No 2 at 40-30.
And the pressure brings a double-fault… back to deuce on the Spaniard’s serve.
Tarvet catches the top of the net with a backhand, though, and lets out a cry of frustration. Advantage Alcaraz.
The Briton looks to be dominating the next point with some superb ground-strokes, but he catches the net with another backhand and Alcaraz manages to hold once more.
03:54 PM BST
Tarvet* 0-2 Alcaraz
Alcaraz can only send his first return of serve long but produces a superb cross-court forehand to level this next game at 15-15.
Tarvet does well to reach another Alcaraz drop shot but pushes his get just inches long of the baseline.
The Briton’s next serve checks off the line, leaving Alcaraz off balance, meaning he sets up Tarvet for the winner but the next exchange ends with the amateur finding the net so Alcaraz has the early break.
03:49 PM BST
Tarvet 0-1 Alcaraz* (*denotes server)
It’s Alcaraz to serve first and he starts strongly, with a body serve returned long by the Briton.
The second point involves a lengthier exchange and it finishes with Alcaraz sending a forehand long from the baseline. Tarvet’s first point of the match and it is met with huge cheers from Centre Court.
Tarvet sends another return of serve long but gets into the next rally and makes it 30-30, with Alcaraz finding the net with a backhand.
Alcaraz sends another forehand long and Tarvet has a break point! His mother in the crowd attempts to hide a smile.
The Spaniard whips a forehand into the corner, though, taking this first game to deuce and preventing an enormous cheer from the home fans.
He pushes another forehand long, though, and once more the Briton has a break point. But a ground-stroke goes inches long and we are back at deuce.
But would you believe it? A backhand passing shot from Alcaraz goes wide and he presents another break opportunity. But he saves it once more, with another fierce forehand winner.
A delightful drop-shot sees Alcaraz go to the brink of this first game and he seals it with a superb volley at the net. What a start to this match!
03:40 PM BST
Here we go!
We are just moments away from getting underway on Centre Court. Will Tarvet make his mark?
03:39 PM BST
Up next for the winner
The winner this afternoon will be rewarded with a third-round clash against either Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jan-Lennard Struff.
03:37 PM BST
‘Play the ball, not the player’ – Tarvet on second round approach
Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s match, Tarvet told BBC Sport: “I don’t really like the word ‘experience’ because I feel like then you’re just there to almost just spectate; you don’t really have the expectation to win.
“And, obviously, I’m not saying that I expect to win. But at the same time I feel like I’ve been quietly confident this whole tournament and it’s got me to where I am.
“A big thing for me is just playing the ball, not the player.”
03:36 PM BST
Players out on Centre Court
After being frantically told by a tournament official to “wait, wait wait”, Oliver Tarvet eventually leads Carlos Alcaraz out onto Centre Court for what must be a surreal experience.
A reminder the Briton came through qualifying, is ranked 733rd in the world and is making his debut at a major tournament.
Tarvet wins the toss and opts to receive first.
03:33 PM BST
Tarvet misses out on prize money
By Tim Wigmore, Firona Parker and Tom McArdle
Oliver Tarvet’s amateur status combined with American college rules – the Briton is still a student at University of San Diego – means he can only receive a sliver of his guaranteed prize money.
Any singles player reaching the second round at the All England Club is guaranteed £99,000 in prize money, with £153,000 up for grabs if he were to achieve the unthinkable and eclipse defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round on Wednesday.
Yet Tarvet, who is studying for a communications major, will only be able to claim $10,000 (£7,290) in profit by the end of this year because of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s rules for student athletes.
Read the full piece on the 21-year-old Briton here.
03:30 PM BST
Top seeds dropping out
Despite his lacklustre performance on Monday, Alcaraz’s chances of a third successive Wimbledon title appear to have improved, with four of the top 10 seeds losing in the opening round.
Three of those casualties came on Alcaraz’s side of the draw, with Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune all suffering first-round upsets.
03:26 PM BST
‘I need to improve’ – Alcaraz on first-round performance
Carlos Alcaraz took more than five hours to progress past 38-year-old Fabio Fognini in five sets in the opening round on Monday.
Speaking afterwards, the Spaniard said: “I tried my best but I can be better. I need to improve in the next round.
“Playing in such a high heat is really difficult to deal with and it is even tougher when you’re playing long matches, long rallies.
“Part of the match you can feel down a little bit because of the sun hitting all the time. I have to be ready to battle.”
03:20 PM BST
Alcaraz targeting historic achievements
Following his French Open title defence in June, Carlos Alcaraz is looking to become the first man in 45 years to complete the French Open-Wimbledon double in consecutive seasons.
With the Spaniard has triumphing on his last two visits to SW19, beating Novak Djokovic in the final on both occasions, he could become just the fourth man to win at least three successive Wimbledon titles in the Open Era.
03:15 PM BST
Sabelenka wraps up win on Centre Court
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has just secured a straight-sets victory over Marie Bouzkova on Centre Court meaning Alcaraz and Tarvet will be on shortly.
03:13 PM BST
Tarvet ‘quietly confident’ of victory
Looking ahead to his match with Alcaraz following his first-round win on Monday, Tarvet said: “I feel like nothing has changed.
“I’ve come here and not really set myself any expectations. I’m quietly confident I can win against anyone. Alcaraz isn’t an exception to that.
“He’s done an incredible amount in the tennis world. He’s a difficult guy not to respect. I will just go out there and try and treat it like another match.
“At the end of the day, for me, I try and play the ball, not the player.”
03:09 PM BST
Tarvet one of seven British players in action
Oliver Tarvet was one of 23 British singles players to compete in the opening round at Wimbledon this year, which was the most since 1984.
The 21-year-old, who was the only one to come through qualifying, was part of a record-breaking opening day on Monday as seven British players made it through.
Day two was not quite as fruitful for the home contingent, with only three of the nine players progressing.
There are seven Brits in singles action today with Sonay Kartel winning earlier today and Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris and Arthur Fery also looking to reach the third round.
03:04 PM BST
Alcaraz’s sensational form
Carlos Alcaraz has won six titles this season, including the French Open last month thanks to his remarkable five-set victory over world No 1 Jannik Sinner in the final.
The Spaniard has won the last three tournaments he has entered, with victories at Rome and Queen’s coming on either side of his Roland Garros defence.
The 22-year-old is consequently on a 19-match winning streak following his victory on Centre Court on Monday.
He was last beaten in April, losing in the final of the Barcelona Open against Holger Rune.
02:58 PM BST
Preview: British qualifier Tarvet ‘quietly confident’ of major upset against Alcaraz
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the second round at Wimbledon as British qualifier Oliver Tarvet takes on world No 2 and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court.
Tarvet is ranked 733rd in the world and is making his major tournament debut, but he progressed through the opening round in comfortable fashion, beating Leandro Riedi 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. However, given that his Swiss opponent on Monday was also a qualifier and ranked 506th in the world, the 21-year-old Briton will face a significantly tougher test on centre stage today.
Alcaraz is in pursuit of a third Wimbledon title on the spin and a second major in a row following his triumph at Roland Garros at the start of June. The Spaniard has won the last three tournaments he has entered, with his French Open title being sandwiched between wins in Rome and at Queen’s Club.
However, the world No 2 only narrowly avoided a huge upset in his opening-round match against 38-year-old Fabio Fognini on Monday, having been taken all the way by the Italian. It took Alcaraz nearly five hours to progress past the world No 138, eventually winning 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.
But with four of the top 10 seeds being knocked out in the opening round, and three of those casualties coming on Alcaraz’s side of the draw, things are looking promising for the Spaniard if he can shake off Monday’s performance and find the form he has shown all season.
As for Tarvet, he would not be able to pocket the prize money for progressing this afternoon, due to American college rules and his amateur status, but beating Alcaraz would mark the biggest upset in Wimbledon history. The Briton is not playing down his chances, though. Speaking after his first-round win, he said: “I’m quietly confident I can win against anyone. Alcaraz isn’t an exception to that.”
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