Wimbledon 2023: Carlos Alcaraz beats Matteo Berrettini in four sets to qualify for quarterfinals

Carlos Alcaraz sealed his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a four-set win over Matteo Berrettini on Centre Court. He cemented his position as the game’s most spectacular shot player with a backhand that slipped around the net-post on his way to a four-set triumph over Berrettini. He will play his first-ever Wimbledon quarter-final on 12th July.

The crowd instantly erupted in a standing ovation, recalling the same amazing achievement five weeks ago in Paris, when a scooped retrieval shot hit at a dead run flew by Novak Djokovic for a clear victory. Having been pushed to four sets by Nicolas Jarry in the third round, the world number one had to fight back from a set down to see off former finalist Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

I knew it was going to be really tough: Carlos Alcarez

This was a meeting of the last two Queen’s Club champions and undoubtedly a significant hurdle for Alcaraz, who is learning quickly on the surface and produced a very solid display. “I knew it was going to be really tough, Matteo is a great player, he made the final here on grass,” said Alcaraz. “He’s playing great. It’s not easy after losing the first set. I knew I was going to have my chances. Something I’ve been working on is to stay focused and not lose my mind a little bit. That part I did great.”

“It’s something that I really wanted. Last year I lost in the fourth round. I came here this year with that goal, first get into the quarter-finals and now I’m looking for more.” “My dream is to play a final here, to win the title one day. I hope I reach that dream this year but right now it’s great to be in the quarter-finals.”

Persad also faces Alcaraz with a striking statistic. His next match against Holger Rune, the contemporary born a week earlier in 2003, will be the first Wimbledon quarter-final in the Open era to feature two men under the age of 21.