Carlos Alcaraz vs Oliver Tarvet LIVE!
Carlos Alcaraz will look to dodge an embarrassing upset on Centre Court this afternoon as he meets Briton Oliver Tarvet in the second round at Wimbledon. The world No733, a St Albans native, has his work cut out for him after he upset Leandro Riedi in his first-round tie 6-4 6-4 6-4, ranked some 200 places above him globally.
The world No2 Alcaraz brushed with disaster in his own opener, requiring five sets and as many hours to get beyond Fabio Fognini, eventually triumphing 7-5 6-7(7) 7-5 2-6 6-1 after a marathon tie. He is in the hunt for a third Wimbledon title in as many years, and will hope for a straightforward outing today.
Of his opponent, Alcaraz said: "I've seen him play, and he has a good level. Even though he's not playing professionally or he has played just his first tour-level match, it doesn't matter.” A meeting with either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Jan-Lennard Struff awaits the winner in the third round. Follow along live here with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith on Centre Court.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Oliver Tarvet latest updates
- Who is Oliver Tarvet?
- First set Alcaraz
GAME, SET, MATCH ALCARAZ -- Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 4-6 Alcaraz
17:57 , Dom SmithFrustration from Tarvet as he nets an unforced error on the first point of a game in which he’s returning to stay in the match, but Alcaraz then nets himself, bringing up 15-15.
Then a poor return of serve from the world No733, and Alcaraz senses he’s closing in on victory.
He certainly is when Tarvet nets again. Two match points.
The first is taken, and there’s a warm embrace between the two players. Alcaraz is through to round three.
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 4-5 Alcaraz
17:54 , Dom SmithOut comes 21-year-old Brit Oliver Tarvet to serve to stay in the match.
At 15-15, some calls of “Ollie, Ollie, Ollie” seem to give Tarvet some added juice, and he produces two unreturned serves which help him on the way to a strong hold.
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 3-5 Alcaraz
17:50 , Dom SmithCarlos Alcaraz is now just a game away from the third round of Wimbledon.
With a decisive net approach, he braces himself for Tarvet’s big swing but cushions a volley down into the turf and away for 30-15 on serve.
And then a show of real anger from Tarvet as he returns a serve into the net for 40-15.
Tarvet managed to grab the next point - the Brit not giving up the fight lightly - and then a very odd moment as Alcaraz slips, Tarvet’s return of serve sails over him and lands... out. Game Alcaraz.
Three breaks of serve in a row.
17:46 , Dom SmithYes, bit of a weird one. But no holds of serve in any of the last three games.
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 3-4 Alcaraz
17:45 , Dom SmithTarvet concedes two very different points as he goes from 0-15 to 0-40 down - the first a sensational winner from Alcaraz which he was nowhere near, the second a strike into the net which the Englishman should have made over.
A break to love it is; Alcaraz is back in control of the third set.
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 3-3 Alcaraz
17:42 , Dom SmithAlcaraz is finding Tarvet a tricky old opponent in this match and has to defend two break-back points in this game.
The first is saved with an ace, BUT the second is taken as Alcaraz goes long. Amazingly, Tarvet has worked his way back to 3-3!
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 2-3 Alcaraz
17:37 , Dom SmithA sensational second point of the game sees both players send the other darting all over the court, but Alcaraz has the decisive Midas touch, lobbing Tarvet and then tapping his tweeny reply into the open court.
Alcaraz then wraps an unstoppable forehand winner down the line for 30-30. Then deuce.
But Alcaraz manages to break and Tarvet will have to do it the hard way now. Can he?
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 2-2 Alcaraz
17:31 , Dom SmithA routine hold of serve from Alcaraz, for two games all in the third set.
Tarvet to serve...
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 2-1 Alcaraz
17:27 , Dom SmithThere’s a slip from Tarvet as he loses the first point of his serve and to no surprise a big chorus of “Come on Ollie” calls follow. But Alcaraz then produces an unforced error at the net and Tarvet moves 30-15 in front.
Tarvet picks up the next two points as well and moves 2-1 ahead in this third set. A little off-patch for Alcaraz here, I feel...
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 1-1 Alcaraz
17:23 , Dom SmithTarvet begins the Alcaraz serve with a fine forehand winner into the corner, but then shanks a reply for 15-15.
And then a call of “Oohhh” in frustration from Tarvet as he nets for 30-15. A hold for Alcaraz.
Tarvet 1-6, 4-6, 1-0 Alcaraz
17:20There’s a bit of trouble early on for Tarvet, who goes 0-30 and then 15-40 down on serve.
He knows he must win this set to avoid a Wimbledon exit and suddenly plays like it, drawing back to 40-40 and deuce and psyching himself up for a big serve from right to left.
He duly gets on, Alcaraz returning long and Tarvet a point from holding. Eventually, via many deuces, he does.
SECOND SET ALCARAZ -- Tarvet 1-6, 4-6 Alcaraz
17:07 , Dom SmithTennis is not an easy sport to predict, and after Alcaraz has just broken to love, I can’t say I expected the defending champion to begin his service game with a double fault...
A second serve ace brings up 40-15 and offers the Spaniard a couple of set points - the first of which he takes with a thunderous ace smashed down the T. He’s on his way against young Tarvet...
Tarvet 1-6, 4-5 Alcaraz
17:03 , Dom SmithAlcaraz does indeed sense his moment, and at 0-30 up he clenches his fists when Tarvet hits the tramlines for 0-40.
Tarvet tries to defend an almighty hit from Alcaraz but the return is into the net and it’s a break to love for Alcaraz.
Tarvet 1-6, 4-4 Alcaraz
17:00 , Dom SmithThree missed shots from Tarvet bring up 40-0 for Alcaraz, who must be surprised how much of a hard slog this second set is proving.
The world No2 does indeed hold, and it’s four games all in the second set.
He’ll fancy breaking now, but Tarvet has looked good on serve of late...
Tarvet 1-6, 4-3 Alcaraz
16:56 , Dom SmithWhat a winner! Tarvet fizzes the ball past Alcaraz and just in, prompting a huge cheer here on Centre Court.
That’s for 30-15 on serve, and the subsequent points sees his net approach utilised to good effect for 40-15.
A huge hold of serve from Tarvet, the Brit really growing into the biggest match of his life.
Tarvet 1-6, 3-3 Alcaraz
16:51 , Dom SmithFollowing a long rally, Tarvet puts the ball long and shows his frustration as Alcaraz looks like holding serve comfortably.
At 40-15, he fires onto Alcaraz’s backhand, though, and it’s 40-30.
But not for long. The Spaniard just too good. Three games all.
Tarvet 1-6, 3-2 Alcaraz
16:47 , Dom SmithAlcaraz’s backhand slice is too long, beyond the baseline, and it places Tarvet 40-15 up on serve. From there, he gets the job done to edge ahead again in this second set.
It’s getting noticeably warmer on Centre Court, where there are nothing but blue skies above.
Tarvet 1-6, 2-2 Alcaraz
16:43 , Dom SmithA very simple hold of serve from Alcaraz, and suddenly the Tarvet break is gone and we’re back on terms at 2-2 in this second set. Tarvet to serve next...
Tarvet 1-6, 2-1 Alcaraz
16:38 , Dom SmithCarlos Alcaraz is straight to the net to put away a nonchalant net winner to bring up 0-30 as he hunts an immediate break back, and at 0-40 it looks even more likely.
Sure enough, Alcaraz slams a winner down the line off his backhand from a Tarvet second serve.
Tarvet 1-6, 2-0 Alcaraz
16:35 , Dom SmithAt 15-15, Alcaraz pops up a returnable shot and there at the net is Tarvet to slam down a winner. And Tarvet has Alcaraz running all over the place in the game’s fifth point, moving 30-40 and a break point up.
And as Alcaraz hits the tramlines there’s a proud wag of the fingers from Tarvet. He leads 2-0 in the second set!
Tarvet 1-6, 1-0 Alcaraz
16:30 , Dom SmithThe Brit from St Albans works up a 40-0 lead on serve in the first game of the second set but then can’t beat the net on two successive points.
An ace will do though! Nerveless from the 21-year-old. He holds.
FIRST SET ALCARAZ -- Tarvet 1-6 Alcaraz
16:25 , Dom SmithAlcaraz moves to 30-0 as he aces Tarvet, and there’s a real quiet on Centre as some fear they know how this all ends.
Tarvet manages to save one set point, drawing a cheer, and saves the second with a fantastic shot, craftily tucked past Alcaraz. Deuce.
And out of nowhere Alcaraz sends Tarvet running and the Brit gets there, flicks a winner over the net, and prompts the world No2 to turn his head as a sign of acknowledgment. Advantage Tarvet!
But here and also with the next, Alcaraz saves it in spectacular fashion with a deft winner.
Eventually, Tarvet is blinded by the sun with a high shot and miss-hits. Wide.
Tarvet 1-5 Alcaraz
16:16 , Dom SmithTarvet is mightily relieved when Alcaraz’s drop shot hits the tape at 0-30 on serve, but the defending champion earns himself two break points.
On the second, he comes to the net decisively and puts away a comfortable winner. It’s a double break and now 5-1. Tarvet in trouble now.
Tarvet 1-4 Alcaraz
16:10 , Dom SmithTarvet believes he can capitalise on a good moment, and has break points at 15-40 on Alcaraz’s serve. It’s just getting over the line that’s the problem for him at the moment, though. Alcaraz holds and is in command of this first set.
Tarvet 1-3 Alcaraz
16:05 , Dom SmithTarvet hits long and brings Alcaraz into the game at 30-30, and then what a STUNNING point from Tarvet, who slams a few forehands where Alcaraz doesn’t want them, coaxes him to the net, and the passes past him. Huge applause, and a punch of the air from Tarvet.
Alcaraz returns serve long, Tarvet gets off the mark, and there’s a roar of emotion to celebrate. Lovely moment for Tarvet.
Tarvet 0-3 Alcaraz
15:58 , Dom SmithMore than sense that Alcaraz is now finding his rhythm, 40-0 up and cruising, but then Tarvet makes a couple of points before being gifted deuce when Alcaraz double faults.
Excellent baseline defensive work from Tarvet, but he twice nets and so Alcaraz holds once more.
Tarvet 0-2 Alcaraz
15:53 , Dom SmithTarvet’s first serve of the match is an ace, but his second begins a point which Alcaraz wins with a thump of the racket, crosscourt winner.
Then comes a double fault from Tarvet, nerves likely at this stage, and throws his head up at the sky in frustration.
Missing the baseline by millimetres with the next point gifts Alcaraz two break points, but the first is saved.
The second is taken, though, and Alcaraz has the early break...
Tarvet 0-1 Alcaraz
15:49 , Dom SmithThere’s a very loud cheer as Alcaraz goes long for 15-15, and likewise as the Spaniard nets for 30-30 on his own serve.
And when Alcaraz hits wildly beyond the baseline, the young Brit has a break point!
In fact, Tarvet wins three break points, with Alcaraz wayward at the moment.
Belatedly, Alcaraz approaches the net and gets it won. A lengthy hold of serve there, with Tarvet right on his toes.
Tarvet 0-0 Alcaraz
15:40 , Dom SmithOk, we’re off! Underway on Centre Court on what is the biggest day of Oliver Tarvet’s life. One suspects it isn’t the biggest day in his opponent’s...
First game, Alcaraz to serve
The warm-up is underway
15:37 , Dom SmithHere we are then. The players are firing some volleys at each other.
The players have arrived!
15:33 , Dom SmithThey will begin their warm-ups shortly. A big cheer for both
Standard Sport prediction
15:29 , Dom SmithThis is huge day for Oliver Tarvet, but against the double defending champion it’ll be a huge ask. This could well be where his journey comes to an end.
Standard Sport prediction: Alcaraz to win, in straight sets
No sign of players yet...
15:26 , Dom SmithNo sign that the players are on their way onto court yet, but there’s a sense of anticipation on Centre Court right now. What a moment this will be for young Oliver Tarvet, one he has dreamed of.
Game, set, match!
15:14 , Dom SmithAlcaraz versus Tarvet is NEXT on Centre Court after Aryna Sabalenka has just finished her match against Marie Bouzkova, winning 7-6(7-4), 6-4.
Sabalenka will do an on-court interview, then we’re in business!
Who is Oliver Tarvet?
15:10 , Arthur FerridgeTarvet, 21, hails from St Albans and qualified for Wimbledon as a wildcard.
He comes into the tournament ranked at No733 in the world, and will hope to establish himself as one of the game’s preeminent rising stars despite a less than favourable draw.
He follows both Jacob fearnley and Cameron Norrie in playing in the United States, currently plying his trade at the University of San Diego. The most recent NCAA rankings placed him at fifth in the nation.
He has it all to do today, facing one of the world’s best in Alcaraz, but, with the home crowd at his back, could continue his fairytale run with upset.
Tarvet's path
15:00 , Arthur FerridgeRanked just 733rd in the world, the University of San Diego student had an arduous qualifying path.
He won his opening pair of qualifiers in straight sets, downing Terence Atmane and Alexis Galarneau.
He then required four to beat out Alexander Blockx 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-1 and reach the main draw.
In his first round tie, he beat Leandro Riedi in straight sets, 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Alcaraz's path
14:50 , Arthur FerridgeThis is just Alcaraz’s second match at Wimbledon.
He opened the campaign with a five-set thriller against Fabio Fognini, winning the marathon bout 7-5 6-7(7) 7-5 2-6 6-1.
He is in the hunt for a third consecutive Wimbledon title.
What time will the match start?
14:40 , Arthur FerridgeAlcaraz vs Tarvet will get underway following Sabalenka vs Bouzkova, which is currently in a first-set tiebreaker.
It is currently slated to begin around 3:10pm BST, but that is subject to change.
Good afternoon
14:31 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Carlos Alcaraz vs Oliver Tarvet in the second round at Wimbledon.
Follow along right here for minute-by-minute updates live and direct from Centre Court, courtesy of Dom Smith.
