Norrie backs Alcaraz for Wimbledon treble

CAMERON Norrie backed Carlos Alcaraz to win a third successive Wimbledon title after British singles hopes were ended in ruthless fashion on Centre Court.

- By ELEANOR CROOKS Tennis correspondent

Norrie had hoped to become just the third home player in the open era to defeat a men's title holder in SW19 after Roger Taylor and Tim Henman but succumbed to a 6-2 6-3 6-3 quarterfinal defeat in just an hour and 39 minutes.

It was Alcaraz's 19th consecutive win at the All England Club and 23rd in a row overall, and Norrie said: "It was a good experience to play probably the best player in the world at the moment, most confident player, on his best surface.

"I think he is the favourite, for sure. His level was unreal. I felt like a lot of the time, if I didn't do enough with the ball, he was going to punish me with a lot of his different options, with power. He's got the drop (shot) as well available.

"So I think I was missing a little bit more because I was pressing a bit more than usual, but I think that's credit to him - his physicality, his movement and power."