Wimbledon: Carlos Alcaraz digs deep against Frances Tiafoe

Defending champion stretched by Tiafoe before winning 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 to enter last 16
LONDON: Carlos Alcaraz can do it all on a tennis court -- delicate touch, thunderous winners; he can sprint and stretch, lend spin to a shot like an artist adds color to a canvas or change direction with such ease that it would put rogue motorists to shade.
If the 21-year-old's play wasn't gorgeous-scrumptious, it would be obnoxious.
Alcaraz, Wimbledon's defending champion, showcased his range on Centre Court on a dank, dismal Friday, making up for the sun with his own distinct sparkle. The world No.3 rallied to beat American Frances Tiafoe 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (6-), 6-2 to move into the fourth round.
Alcaraz, who lives dangerously, scored 16 aces and 55 winners, and fittingly finished with a stellar dropshot of a single-handed backhand that left Tiafoe stranded behind the baseline after almost four-hours in the middle.
"Obviously it's a big challenge playing Frances," Alcaraz said. "As I said many times, he's a really talented player. Tough to face. He showed it once again that he deserves to be at the top. He deserves to fight for big things. It was difficult for me to adapt my game and find solutions and try to put him in trouble. Happy to do it at the end of the match."
The fourth set tie-break was where the match turned for Alcaraz, who had won his previous encounter against Tiafoe, also in five-sets in the semifinals of the 2022 US Open. The Spaniard shot to a 4-0 lead, but on the sixth point of the tie-break Tiafoe slipped on the baseline, coming down on his knee and struggling to get back on his feet.
Alcaraz had one eye on his opponent, even asking if he needed help when he crossed over at the change of ends. Suffice to say that Tiafoe wasn't the same again.
"In the tie-break I always tell myself to go for it," Alcaraz said, "If I lose, then I lose going for my shots."
Playing under the roof on another rain-hit day at Wimbledon, Alcaraz changed gears in the fifth set, ripping a forehand winner in the third game to break the 26-year-old's serve at 15-40.
Tiafoe, who was playing with a knee brace, retired at Queen's due to a right hip injury. The world no 29 had earlier talked about his slump in form. He was ranked in the top-10 in June last year, this year he was just about seeded. Even though Alcaraz had the crowd behind him, the American had his share of support too, shouts of 'come on Frances' reverberating across the grounds. Tiafoe, who was given a standing ovation when he left the court, could use this performance to foment his charge for the rest of the summer.
In the women's draw, seventh seed Jasmine Paolini defeated Bianca Andreescu in the third round of a second straight major, winning 7-6 (4), 6-1 to make the second week of Wimbledon for the first time.