World No. 13 Jannik Sinner described Carlos Alcaraz as a “very tough opponent” and a “very nice person” after upsetting the fifth-seeded Spaniard in the Wimbledon last-16.Â
On Sunday, Sinner delivered a great performance as he saw off Alcaraz 6-1 6-4 6-7 (8) 6-3 to progress into his maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal.
“Carlos is a very tough opponent and a very nice person, so it is always a huge pleasure for me to play against him,” said Sinner in his on-court interview, per the ATP website. “Today with such a great crowd and a special day today, 100 years [of Centre Court]. It’s just amazing.”
In the third set tie-break, Sinner missed out on two match points as Alcaraz managed to force a fourth set.
After losing a tight first set, Sinner bounced back at the start of the fourth set with an early 3-0 lead.Â
In the eighth game on Alcaraz’s serve, Sinner missed out on three match points.Â
After blowing a total of five match points, Sinner was able to realize his sixth match point on his serve in the ninth game.Â
Sinner: Happy I was able to close out the match
”It’s tough when you have match point, and you still have to play [on],” Sinner noted. “I tried my best, it is just part of the game, part of tennis, and obviously I am very happy how I reacted, because in the first [game] I was struggling. I am very happy to be in the next round and hopefully I can play some good tennis [then too].”
Meanwhile, British hope Cameron Norrie has also been through to the quarterfinal after beating Tommy Paul 6-4 7-5 6-4.
“To make the quarters for the first time, in front of my family and friends here from college is so special,” Norrie said in his on-court interview. “In a huge match, to play the way I did, was really good. To execute everything. I really enjoyed it. It is pretty crazy, I have a lot of feelings.”
Norrie plays David Goffin in the Wimbledon quarterfinal.