Defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a shaky start against unseeded Australian Aleksandar Vukic, eventually securing a 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-2 victory to reach the third round on Wednesday. Alcaraz, who is aiming for his fourth Grand Slam title, initially struggled as Vukic broke his serve to level the opening set. The Spaniard recovered to force a tiebreak, where he established a 5-1 lead. Despite Vukic closing the gap, Alcaraz raised his game to clinch the first set, much to the relief of his fans on Court One.
In the second set, Alcaraz found his rhythm and quickly overpowered Vukic, closing out the set without offering any more chances to his opponent. The third set saw Alcaraz maintain his dominance, easing through to secure his place in the next round. Reflecting on his journey, Alcaraz's performance against Vukic showcased his growth since his early days at Wimbledon. Once a newcomer without an ATP title, Alcaraz is now a seasoned Grand Slam champion, demonstrating his prowess and determination.
"I'm really happy about my performance. The first set was the key for me. He served for the set, then I played a really good tiebreak. In the second set and third set, I played at a really high level. I'm really happy about it," Alcaraz said. "It was difficult for me to close the (first) set. I knew it was going to be the same. I had to be there. I put a few returns in, a few winners. It was a good game for me on the return side. "In those situations, you have to increase your level, put the early ball in, try to be aggressive with your style. That's all I thought about in that situation and it was helpful."
A notable moment in the match came when Alcaraz executed a stunning backhand down the line, thrilling the spectators. Although Vukic managed to break back and even served for the set at one point, Alcaraz's superior skills and tactical play forced a tiebreak, which he won on his second set point. Alcaraz's next challenge will be against the 29th seed, Frances Tiafoe, as he continues his quest to defend his Wimbledon crown.
