Alcaraz hogs limelight at Wimbledon

TO SEE the hitherto erratic, if not underrated, World No 30, Alexander Bublik showcase his brilliance, in carving through both World No 1, Jannik Sinner and former No 1, Daniil Medvedev, to lift the Halle trophy for the second time, was tantamount to watching a dark horse, pip a favourite at Ascot.

- DEBORAH CURTIS-SETCHELL

In his current form, the Kazakhstani poses a real threat at Wimbledon; as his co Finalist, Medvedev, drolly put it in his post match interview: “I hope you're in Alcaraz’s side of the Draw!” World No 2, Carlos Alcaraz, the Defending champion on this hallowed turf, stands to reach another historic milestone should he win this Major for a third year in a row.

The Spaniard, would join GOAT Bjorn Borg, as the only male in the Open era, to win both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in three consecutive years, a feat unmatched during the interim.

The fact, the World No 2, is riding high on an 18 match winning streak, the longest in his career, which includes toppling the World No 1, in Rome & Paris, the only player this season to accomplish that - aside from Bublik - and having won Queens, contrary to his own “little expectations”, makes Alcaraz a hot favourite for a Three-peat.