Carlos Alcaraz came back from a set down to beat Andrey Rublev and reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
The Spaniard is looking to win the title at SW19 for the third consecutive year but has not been at his best in these Championships, going the distance with Fabio Fognini in his opening match and then needing four sets to beat Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round.
There was more stress for Alcaraz here, as Rublev edged a first set tie-break, but the second seed raised his level at the key moments in the remainder of the match to win 6-7 6-3 6-4 6-4.
"Andrey is one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, player on tour,” Alcaraz said.
“So aggressive on the ball. To face him is, he is pushing you to the limit in every ball. Makes it really difficult to face him, but really happy with the way I played today.”
That is now 18 wins in a row for Alcaraz on the Wimbledon grass. He will next face Cameron Norrie, the last remaining British singles player, for a place in the semi-finals.
"Every time I can turn up on this beautiful court it is a gift so I have to make the most of all the times I get on this court,” Alcaraz said.
"It will be really difficult. Cam is playing great, I know him well, will be interesting but I’m just excited about playing quarter final here."
Alcaraz had begun the match in fairly sluggish fashion, falling 4-1 behind, but he then put together a run of 12 points out of 16 to get it back on serve and they remained level through to a tie-break.
The Spaniard had the mini-break and a 5-4 lead, but Rublev roared back and produced a stunning backhand down the line to bring up set point, which he converted to steal the set.
Another tie-break looked the favourite in the second set as seven holds were exchanged, but Rublev produced a double fault at the worst possible time. Alcaraz broke to lead 5-3 and had no issues serving it out.
Rublev had two break points to take an early advantage in the third set, though they slipped away from him. Another chance came four games later, but Alcaraz found a timely ace and held firm to level at 3-3.
He then made his move in the following game in sublime fashion, producing heroics behind the baseline to stay in the point and then on the stretch somehow finding a remarkable crosscourt passing shot to break. Once more a rapid hold to love sealed the set.
There were plenty more of those in the fourth, as the first 15 points of the set went on serve. Rublev then fought back from 0-40 to get to deuce but Alcaraz was not to be denied a fourth time on break point as he moved 3-2 in front.
Rublev increasingly swung with wild carelessness as though accepting his fate, but battled admirably to save three break points and keep himself in touch as Alcaraz pushed for a double break.
The Spaniard could not find that but it was not necessary. A backhand into the net wasted the first match point but Alcaraz took the second, his bid for a Wimbledon three-peat still very much on track.
