Alcaraz hits peak brutality mode to swipe aside Norrie

On this occasion, much to the discontent of the punters and union jack wavers on Centre Court, Carlos Alcaraz was in no mood to hang about. Wimbledon's defending champion had already dropped four sets across four matches, flirting with the idea of a shock exit. But as the sun set over SW19, this was the Spaniard in a hurry.

- KIERAN JACKSON ON CENTRE COURT

Unshakeable and indomitable.

For British singles ambitions in the post-Andy Murray era? A final farewell. Cameron Norrie was not the left-handed home favourite most expected in the quarterfinals and, for that, we can only give the British No 3 credit for his gutsy run to the last eight, in the wake of Jack Draper’s disappointing second-round exit. But, truth be told, an upset did not look remotely likely yesterday evening, with Alcaraz victorious in one hour and 39 minutes: 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

Three years ago, Norrie entered the realm of public consciousness with a low-key run to the semifinals here, losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in four sets. Alcaraz, of course, has been the only player to beat Djokovic at Wimbledon since 2017. And with Jannik Sinner a wounded warrior ahead of today’s quarterfinal meeting with American Ben Shelton, perhaps a final between the Spaniard and the Serb for the third consecutive year is falling into place for Sunday afternoon.

Five-time grand slam winner Alcaraz, on a 23-match win streak now dating back to April, is in the form of his life. This was his best performance of the tournament to date, swatting aside a powerless Norrie with efficiency and panache. Thirty-nine winners compared to 13 for Norrie told the tale of the tape. It was Alcaraz in peak brutality mode. “I’m really happy with the level I played today against a difficult player like Cam,” the 22-year-old said, on court, afterwards. “To play another semifinal here at Wimbledon is really special.”