Alcaraz finds magic touch; Sabalenka enters quarters

Carlos Alcaraz found his best form after a shaky start to beat Andrey Rublev and reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Sunday as hot favourite in the women’s draw Aryna Sabalenka also progressed.

- Agencies

The Spaniard, hunting a third straight title at the All England Club, has taken his fans on an emotional rollercoaster but is into the last eight after a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win.

While Alcaraz’s main rivals, seven-time winner Novak Djokovic and world number one Jannik Sinner, are in ominous form, the second seed has blown hot and cold so far.

He will next face Cameron Norrie, who is the last British player standing at Wimbledon after beating Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in five gruelling sets.

Alcaraz lost three sets across his first three matches and fell behind against Russian 14th seed Rublev under the Centre Court roof.

But he turned the match around in style, producing some of his best tennis in front of his adoring fans. “I think I played intelligent and smart today against him, tactically,” said the 22-year-old. “A really good match, which I'm really proud about.”

The five-time Grand Slam champion said he always believes in himself, even when facing adversity. “One point can change the match completely, turn everything around.