Alcaraz sparkles at Wimbledon but home hopes dashed as Murray, Norrie fall

LONDON : Carlos Alcaraz provided the entertainment during his maiden victory on Wimbledon's Centre Court on Friday but it was the end of the road for local hope Andy Murray, who lifted two titles on the hallowed turf, on a day of gloom for British tennis.

Spanish top seed Alcaraz mixed power hitting, fearsome returning and delicate drop shots to beat Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-4 7-6(2) 6-3 before declaring he belonged on the "really beautiful court" and hoped for a final with Novak Djokovic.

"I feel like I'm ready to play more matches, to play more great matches on that court," U.S. Open champion Alcaraz said after reaching the third round.

"It would be amazing to play a final here in Wimbledon. Even better if is against Novak obviously."

Shortly after the 20-year-old's victory, Murray - a man 16 years his senior - fell short in his bid for another age-defying victory as Stefanos Tsitsipas prevailed 7-6(3) 6-7(2) 4-6 7-6(3) 6-4 to silence a partisan Centre Court crowd.

"It's never easy against Andy. Everyone loves him here. It was a very difficult game and I'm impressed how well he holds up after his hip surgeries and his level today," Tsitsipas said of his opponent, who plays with a partly metal hip.

"It was nerve-racking. It was an obstacle and it's extra difficult when you've grown up watching him play on this court."

British hopes were further dashed as American Christopher Eubanks claimed the biggest win of his career by stunning 12th seed Cameron Norrie 6-3 3-6 6-2 7-6(3) on Court One.

"There's tons of really good players who play professional tennis who never get the chance to play the number one Brit at Wimbledon in an atmosphere like this," Eubanks said.

"It didn't even matter how many people were for me or against me,