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. 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 quarter-finals 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 on Tuesday evening, with Alcaraz victorious in one hour and 39 minutes: 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.
