Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz sets up Cameron Norrie quarter-final

Carlos Alcaraz remains on course for a third consecutive Wimbledon crown after surviving a scare to set up a quarter-final clash with Britain’s Cameron Norrie.

The world number two’s title defence was creaking when, having overturned a 4-1 deficit, he dropped the opening set against Russian 14th seed Andrey Rublev on a tie-break.

But a significant Centre Court upset was ultimately averted as Alcaraz extended his winning streak to 22 matches by coming through a tricky round-four contest 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-4 6-4.

18 consecutive wins at #Wimbledon

✨ @carlosalcaraz ✨ pic.twitter.com/oMiSe2ftRG

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2025

Having beaten Novak Djokovic in the last two finals, victory in two hours and 44 minutes marked the Spaniard’s 18th successive win at the Championships, with his last loss coming against Jannik Sinner in 2022.

The 22-year-old, who was watched by US Open mixed doubles partner Emma Raducanu, will hope to be back on Centre Court next Sunday bidding to become a six-time grand slam champion, with rivals Sinner and Djokovic the leading contenders to be his potential opponent.

Before then, the second seed must negotiate two more rounds, beginning with one-time semi-finalist Norrie – victor in a five-set epic against Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry – in the last eight on Tuesday.

Rublev has caused Alcaraz problems in the past, defeating him on clay en route to lifting last year’s Madrid Open title.

The 27-year-old underdog broke to love in game three to underline his threat before relinquishing control of an opening set in which both players slipped and fell by directing two routine volleys into the net.

Alcaraz was then a break up at 5-4 in the tie-break. But, with order seemingly set to be restored, his rival