ATP Tour

Alcaraz drops a set in Struff Wimbledon R3 win

Carlos Alcaraz did not have things all his own way Friday at Wimbledon, but he once again found a way to extend his career-best winning streak to 21 matches.

The Spaniard fought past Fabio Fognini in five sets in the first round and was troubled at times by the big-hitting German Jan-Lennard Struff in their third-round encounter on Centre Court. However, Alcaraz dug in to soak up the Struff pressure, showing flashes of brilliance en route to a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 triumph.

“I was suffering in every service game I did today,” Alcaraz said. “Love 30, break points down. It was stressful. He kept pushing me. I kind of survived and I am really happy that I got the break and it was done.”

CARLITOS BRINGING THE 🔥

He defeats Struff 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4…@Wimbledon | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/C41kcYXUiN

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 4, 2025

The two-time defending champion Alcaraz is aiming to become just the fifth man in the Open Era to lift three consecutive Wimbledon trophies and has now won his past 17 matches at the grass-court major.

In what could be a historic fortnight, Alcaraz is also trying to join Bjorn Borg and become just the second man in history to win the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in consecutive years. Last month the Spaniard saved three championship points in his dramatic five-hour, 29-minute five-set Roland Garros final victory against the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Jannik Sinner.

“I knew at the beginning it was going to be really difficult,” Alcaraz added on his win against Struff. “That I would have to be really focused on every shot and on my service games and return. I think his game suits pretty well to the grass. Big serves. Approaching the net as much as he can. I am really pleased with everything that I have done today. Fighting, running, making great shots. I tried to make the opportunities he gave to me in the match and I am just proud with the way I won in four sets.”

Alcaraz and Struff were meeting for the fifth time and the second seed was aggressive in the opening stages. The Spaniard made life uncomfortable for the German, consistently pulling Struff from corner to corner with his forehand. He also found great depth on the return to neutralise the German’s biggest weapon, breaking serve twice in the first set.

As has happened with Alcaraz before, including in Monday’s win over Fognini, he briefly lost his rhythm. The World No. 2 won only 53 per cent of his first-serve points in the second set and struggled to challenge Struff’s serve.

However, Alcaraz’s lapse in level was just a lapse. He found more consistency in the third set to power back ahead and then hit a number of stunning drop volleys in the fourth set to finally end the Struff fight, advancing after two hours and 25 minutes.

Alcaraz will next play Andrey Rublev after the 14th seed ended French qualifier Adrian Mannarino’s run with a comfortable 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 win. Rublev’s best result at Wimbledon came in 2023 when he advanced to the quarter-finals. The 27-year-old will try to match that when he takes on Alcaraz in the pair’s fourth Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting (2-1 Alcaraz).

Alcaraz is chasing his sixth title of the season, highlighted by his fifth major at Roland Garros and ATP Masters 1000 titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome. Earlier this month, he triumphed at The Queen’s Club for the second time, with his last defeat coming in the Barcelona final in April.