Carlos Alcaraz sinks Ugo Humbert to progress to quarter-finals

Just under three weeks ago, Jack Draper demonstrated to other left-handed players that the key to defeating Carlos Alcaraz on grass was to utilize their natural advantages and to play with confidence. By overcoming his uncertainties and allowing his shots to come naturally, the British No 1 became one of only eight left-handed players out of 32 who have attempted to defeat the Spaniard on the traditional playing surface.

Did the drop in performance at Queen's on June 20 seem out of place? Ugo Humbert may have thought so as he struggled on Centre Court during the fourth round of the championships. Despite his best efforts, he didn't quite reach his full potential. Like Draper, he remained confident and determined, even in challenging conditions.

Alcaraz, a 21-year-old tennis player who is skilled on clay courts and can adapt his game to any surface, experienced extreme highs and lows before ultimately emerging victorious in a tough match.

The current champion has defeated every left-handed opponent he has faced at Wimbledon. In a nearly three-hour match, he showed moments of incredible tennis skill, particularly in the third and fourth sets where he faced tough competition.

"Facing left-handed players can be challenging," Alcaraz commented during the match. "Playing against Draper on grass at Queen's was tough. However, I stayed true to my game and feel very satisfied with my performance today. I maintained a high level of play and made sure to stay in every point, demonstrating to my opponent that I'm always ready for the next ball. Now, I will take some time to rest and recover in order to be fully prepared for my next match."

Whether you go left or right, the key to success on the grass court usually depends on pure strength, and we saw a lot of that on display this past Sunday.

Another southpaw sat in the Royal Box on the seventh day, Rod Laver, who used to dominate this court like royalty.

Could a prime Laver have surprised Alcaraz? It's pointless speculation - but an interesting idea to think about as Spain's rising star makes his way through the tournament. He and Novak Djokovic - who is 16 years older - are the only players left in the men's singles who have won a Grand Slam title. A potential final between them next weekend would be an exciting matchup between generations.

Jeremy Chardy, Humbert's coach, experienced the strength of Alcaraz's game during the first round at this event last year, so he was not just a casual observer.

Everyone was captivated. A stray shot came dangerously close to hitting a woman in the audience, but she managed to keep her drink steady without spilling a drop. Impressive composure. Would the French player be able to maintain the same level of coolness when facing pressure from the Spanish opponent?

It wasn't obvious at first, but after 20 minutes, he showed his true talent. Alcaraz's smooth movements during his shots are extraordinary, the force he puts into it is like a burst of energy. He poses a threat from every corner of the court, smoothly moving in and out like a shark.

During the eighth game, he smashed a powerful 107mph forehand shot that reverberated through the small arena, bringing the score to 40-love. Humbert managed to match his intensity on the next point, but was unable to do much as Alcaraz unleashed lightning-fast shots all over the court, ultimately winning the first set in just 41 minutes. It was an exciting and overwhelming display of skill.

This Alcaraz was not the same as before when he had to come back from being down 1-2 against Frances Tiafoe in the last round, but Humbert was proving stubborn.

Alcaraz had to hit two perfect serves and a bunch of powerful shots to prevent his opponent from winning four break points in the challenging fifth game. Humbert continued to put pressure on him in the seventh game, but Alcaraz successfully defended his position once again. It was clear that a competitive battle was underway.

"Alcaraz once again showed his knack for finding solutions," noted Tim Henman. With a skillful shot, he earned himself a crucial set point. After an intense rally where Alcaraz slipped behind the baseline, Humbert's forehand landed just outside the court, giving the Spaniard a 2-0 lead after an hour and a half of play.

Laver must have been thrilled with the exciting entertainment, while Chardy may not have been as pleased. Humbert looked exhausted but continued to fight back. He surprised everyone, including Alcaraz, by breaking three times to win the third set in just over thirty minutes.

Humbert was behind in the game, but he exuded self-assurance. He was unafraid.

Both players were feeling nervous, and neither of them could hold serve until the fourth game of the fourth set. Alcaraz finally found his groove after losing serve four times in a row and took the lead 3-1. It seemed like victory was within reach, but Humbert, who wasn't worried about the chances against him, managed to break back.

After being down 0-40 in the eighth game, Alcaraz managed to improve his serve, winning two deuce points and getting back into the match. Despite being behind in the service game, Alcaraz needed to hold in order to remain in the set. A remarkable passing shot that flew past Humbert led to a show of appreciation from the Frenchman, and the score was tied at five-all.

Alcaraz decided to take a chance by using his signature clay-court drop shots, which proved to be successful. He unleashed a powerful forehand shot as he regained his energy and precision during a crucial moment in the game. His top-spin shot was spot-on and allowed him to break his opponent's serve easily.

Humbert asked the crowd to cheer him on, and they gladly did, wanting to see a fifth set. However, Alcaraz improved his serve to 132mph and ultimately won the match with a drop shot and a serve that his opponent couldn't return on his backhand side - a disadvantage for left-handed players. It was an unforgettable match.