The Japan Times - Alcaraz shines as Djokovic faces Wimbledon 'duel of veterans'

World number one Alcaraz defeated 84th-ranked Alexandre Muller of France, who was making his Wimbledon debut, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

"This was my second match on Centre Court. I lost here last year, so I'm happy to win on this beautiful court," said 20-year-old US Open champion Alcaraz.

Despite victory, 41 unforced errors will be of concern to the Spaniard, who was playing his second-round match a day later than scheduled due to the heavy rain earlier in the week.

World number two Djokovic, who is bidding for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon and 24th Grand Slam title, had his second-round obligations wrapped up by Wednesday.

The 36-year-old faces three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka, two years older than the Serb, for a place in the last 16.

"It's the duel of the veterans," said Djokovic.

The two have met 26 times over their 17-year rivalry.

Wawrinka has won just six of those matches but crucially two were in Grand Slam finals, at the 2015 French Open and the US Open, 12 months later.

Friday's match will be the first time they have played on grass.

- 'No rhythm -

"I will enjoy it if I don't get killed," joked the Swiss.

Two-time champion Murray was within touching distance of the third round on Thursday evening when his clash against fifth-ranked Tsitsipas was halted due to local curfew regulations.

Murray lost the first set but roared back to lead 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.

Thursday's suspension came at the right moment for Murray, who fell and appeared to hurt his groin, leaving him screaming in pain as he served for the third set.

However, the world number 40 picked himself up to serve it out.

Serbia's Laslo Djere awaits the winner on Saturday.

Men's third seed Daniil Medvedev returned to complete his second-round clash against Adrian Mannarino, the Frenchman who defeated him at Wimbledon five years ago.

The mercurial Russian was two sets and 4-4 ahead when play was halted on day four but quickly wrapped up victory in a third set tie-break.

Unseeded dangerman Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 runner-up to Djokovic, made the last 32 with a straight-sets defeat of Australian 15th seed Alex de Minaur.

Danish sixth seed Holger Rune reached the third round for the first time, brushing aside Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.

Women's second seed Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a set down to beat Varvara Gracheva, who recently switched nationality from Russia to France, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.

"I couldn't find my rhythm in the first set," said Sabalenka, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon in 2021 before last year's ban on Russian and Belarusian players.

"I was telling myself to keep fighting, keep trying and you probably can win this one."

Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu recovered from 2-5 down in the final set to defeat Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (10/7).

Two-time champion Petra Kvitova eased past Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-2, avenging her defeat to the Belarusian in the first round in 2018.

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk made the last 32 for the first time when Paula Badosa suffered a recurrence of a back injury and quit their second-round match.

- Badosa quits -

Kostyuk was 6-2, 1-0 ahead when her Spanish rival retired after just 36 minutes on Court 18.

Badosa immediately pulled out of the mixed doubles she was due to play with boyfriend Tsitsipas.

The 21-year-old Kostyuk next faces Madison Keys of the United States, a quarter-finalist in 2015.

Victoria Azarenka, twice a semi-finalist, was the first woman into the last 16 when she brushed aside Russia's Daria Kasatkina.

Top seed Swiatek, the reigning US Open and French Open champion, eyes the fourth round when she faces experienced Petra Martic of Croatia.

M.Fujitav--JT