An indomitable king who commands respect

Andrés Tomás Rico | 6 Jul 2025 | 21.55

An indomitable king who commands respect. Photo: Getty Images.

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Today, Carlos Alcaraz reigns supreme at Wimbledon. Despite Andrey Rublev playing at a remarkable level and challenging the world number two, the two-time champion in London fiercely defended his turf, especially showcasing outstanding performance in the crucial moments of the match. The Russian posed a tough challenge, but it was not enough to break the Spanish player, who shows his true capabilities when faced with opposition in his domain. Thus, the player from Murcia advances to the quarterfinals, where he will meet Cameron Norrie, after securing a victory with a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 scoreline, in a battle lasting two hours and 47 minutes.

As the second week of a Grand Slam approaches, the atmosphere undergoes a significant change. There is less tranquility and margin for errors, as tension escalates, especially on the unpredictable grass surface. Despite overcoming all his matches, particularly the tough debut against Fabio Fognini and the challenging encounter with JL Struff, the match against Rublev presented an even greater challenge. The defending champion could no longer rely solely on momentum or status in the Round of 16 of a Grand Slam; he needed consistency and control, especially with his first serve, crucial on the grass courts of London.

Rublev held nothing back

The Russian had already hinted at his intentions before the match: "The level is there, I'm striking the ball well." And those warnings materialized as he broke the Spanish player's serve in the fourth game, taking a 4-1 lead, with a highly effective serve and aggressive play. However, Carlos met the challenge head-on, recovered from the setback promptly, and prevented the first set from slipping away swiftly. He increased his intensity and capitalized on two unforced errors by Rublev to regain the break, leveling the score to 4-4.

After overcoming the initial scare and Moscow's player fervor, the dynamics shifted. Alcaraz regained confidence, and Rublev's forehand lost its edge. The first set reached its peak with both players evenly matched in sensations. Consequently, a tie-break was the fitting conclusion to determine the winner of the first set. Rublev managed to overturn a 5-3 deficit in the tie-break, stayed composed, held onto the court, and confirmed the surprises of the initial games by clinching the first set full of fluctuations, which ended in the Russian's favor (7-6(5)).

The first set transformed the Russian from a threat into a genuine menace. Rublev moved smoothly on Center Court, reached everything, hit the ball consistently, and unleashed his devastating forehand when the opportunity arose. However, what sets the Spanish player apart is his refusal to surrender. He always fights till the last point, persisting until he finds a chance to escape, as seen in the Roland Garros final.

This resilience characterized his performance throughout the second set. Rublev maintained his level, but with the score at 4-3 in favor of the Spanish player, a couple of mistakes on serve and a double fault paved the way for Alcaraz to even the contest, a set where the outcome remained uncertain until the end (6-3). One set apiece with plenty of exciting tennis still to come.

Neither player was willing to back down. They stubbornly defended their ground, engaging in intense, endurance-filled exchanges with rapid pace. The match was finely balanced, where even the slightest error could prove costly. Rublev had a break point opportunity in the sixth game, a critical moment, but Alcaraz nullified it with an ace, heightening the tension.

A game-changing moment

One of Alcaraz's constant threats is his ability to turn around seemingly lost games. This was evident in the following game: Rublev led 30-0, and rather than conceding the game, Alcaraz fought back, narrowed the gap with strong returns and winners, ultimately breaking serve with a left-handed passing shot after resilient defense. This is Carlos Alcaraz.

That was the pivotal moment of the third set, as Alcaraz gestured to his ear and Rublev cursed in Russian, acknowledging that despite his excellent play, both technically and mentally, the Spanish player's inspiration could overpower him. In this tough yet realistic manner, the Spaniard claimed the third set (6-4) and tentatively secured his place in the quarterfinals.

Perhaps that game was not only key to the third set, but also to the outcome of the match. The Russian realized he had done nearly everything within his control. His first serve proved effective, his forehand remained potent, and he withstood many of the world number two's assaults. Yet, he couldn't make a more significant dent.

Meanwhile, the Spanish player, increasingly relishing his home turf after weathering a tennis storm, unleashed his full arsenal to delight the fans on Center Court. The player from Murcia broke serve in the sixth game to pave the way for the fourth set and a match where he sweated and embraced the challenge from the Muscovite. Once again, he demonstrated that challenging him comes with fatal consequences.

Alcaraz claimed victory with a score of 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, and as of now, no one can dethrone him at Wimbledon. Next in line to try will be Cameron Norrie, who will have the crowd's support, yet even that support may not suffice against the new king of the tennis cathedral.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Un rey indomable que impone respeto