Alcaraz vs Rune LIVE!
Carlos Alcaraz edged a step closer to a Novak Djokovic final after a Wimbledon quarter-final between two 20-year-olds which suggests there is life after the big three. Roger Federer is retired and Rafael Nadal convalescing in Mallorca following hip surgery, leaving Djokovic as the sole protagonist from the dominant triumvirate.
Alcaraz is already world No1 and the likely successor to that trio but his opponent on Wednesday, Holger Rune, suggested the future of men’s tennis looks secure. The pair could barely been split in a high-quality opening set which lasted 65 minutes, which went to Alcaraz’s advantage. The tension and drama diminished as the match wore on – the Spaniard always just that bit more clinical in the clutch moments – and yet Rune will surely be a grand slam winner soon on the evidence of this showing.
It was the first Wimbledon men’s quarter-final to be contested by two players under the age of 21 in the open era – just six days separating the long-time rivals and friends in age. And by winning Alcaraz became the youngest semi-finalist here since Djokovic back in 2007.
