Despite a tricky start to his 2025 Wimbledon campaign, Carlos Alcaraz has made it through to the Wimbledon fourth round.
The Spanish world number two fought through a five-set extravaganza against Fabio Fognini in round one before dismissing world number 719 Oliver Tarvet in the second round.
His Wimbledon third round included more nervy moments, dropping another set to German player Jan-Lennard Struff.
The Spaniard, who recently broke a record held by Bjorn Borg, faces Russian 14th seed Andrey Rublev in the fourth round.
Martina Navratilova, a nine-time Wimbledon champion, weighed in on Alcaraz’s form heading into the contest against Rublev.
Martina Navratilova says Carlos Alcaraz is ‘getting better with each match’ despite a ‘lousy first night’ at Wimbledon
Martina Navratilova, considered one of the best players ever after winning 18 Grand Slam titles, discussed Alcaraz’s mixed form heading into the contest against Rublev.
The Czech legend noted that Alcaraz played a ‘really lousy’ first night against Fabio Fognini but pointed out the contrasting fortunes of Alcaraz and Rublev on the grass surface.
Speaking on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast, Navratilova said: “Well, uh, I think, look, this is Rublev’s probably worse surface, and arguably Alcaraz’s best surface. Alcaraz is getting better with each match.
“Well, he played really lousy first night. Let’s put it that way.
“He won in five sets, but played much better in the second and then in the programme as well. So I think he, as he gets less nervous and gets better opponents, he will keep playing better tennis.”
Despite Navratilova’s claims that grass is Andrey Rublev’s worst surface, the Russian has performed well at the championships so far.
Rublev defeated Laslo Djere in the first round before dismissing Lloyd Harris in four sets, despite the South African player hitting 25 aces.
However, Rublev’s most impressive win came against Adrian Mannarino in the third round. The Russian won in straight sets against an opponent who is known for his quality on grass, having made the fourth round of Wimbledon on three occasions.
Who could Carlos Alcaraz face in the Wimbledon quarter-finals?
If Alcaraz, who is searching for his third consecutive Wimbledon crown, does defeat Rublev, he may have to contend with a wave of British sentiment in the quarter-finals.
As it stands, the ATP star could face either Cameron Norrie or Nicolas Jarry in the quarter-finals, both of whom have enjoyed impressive runs at SW19.
Jarry, who pinpointed what he has to do very well to beat Norrie, had to come through qualifying before knocking out Brazilian starlet Joao Fonseca in the third round.
Meanwhile Norrie defeated a strong grass court player in the shape of Frances Tiafoe on his way to the fourth round.
Norrie could provide a stern test for the Spaniard, considering his excellent form at Wimbledon and his previous experience of reaching the semi-final stage in 2022.
