BRITISH DREAM CONTINUES; ALCARAZ AVOIDS UPSET: WIMBLEDON DAY 5

As the locker rooms slowly empty and contain an eerie feel, the third round of a Grand Slam is when the level rises another notch.

There was an almighty scare on centre court for a reigning champion aiming to defend his crown, while British locals experienced mixed emotions for two players on the women’s side.

Men’s Results:

Carlos Alcaraz [3] d. Frances Tiafoe [29] 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2

Jannik Sinner [1] d. Miomir Kecmanović 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

Grigor Dimitrov [10] d. Gaël Monfils 6-3, 6-4, 6-3

Tommy Paul [12] d. Alexander Bublik [23] 6-3, 6-4, 6-2

Play Suspended:

Daniil Medvedev [5] leads Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 1-1

Ugo Humbert leads Brandon Nakashima 7-6(9), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-6

Fabio Fognini leads Roberto Bautista Agut 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-5, 4-5 (on serve)

Ben Shelton [14] leads Denis Shapovalov 3-2 (on serve)

Carlos Alcaraz proved what champions are made of, fending off an inspired performance from former world No.10 Frances Tiafoe in five sets - seven minutes shy of four hours.

Similar to his encounter against Aleksandar Vukic two days ago, the Spaniard squandered the chance to capitalise on a break in the first set as he lost five of the next six games at 4-2 up.

Tiafoe’s aggressive approach and deft touch at the net were causing a nuisance to the flow of Alcaraz’s game, relying heavily on his serve in what was one of the American’s best serving displays in recent memory.

That said, the defending champion held his nerve to fight back from two sets to one down, taking advantage of Tiafoe’s tiring legs to escape from a shock exit, at one stage down 0-30 at 4-4 in the fourth.

“Frances is a really talented player. Really tough to face. He deserves to fight for big things,” said Alcaraz after the match.

It was a less stressful performance for world No.1 Jannik Sinner, dropping only seven games in one hour and 38 minutes without breaking a sweat.

The comfortable manner of victory was much-needed for the Italian, who dropped a set in the opening round before a brutal four-set slog against 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in under four hours.

Aussie coach Darren Cahill was in the 22-year-old’s corner this time last year when he enjoyed his best run to the semi-finals. In the post-match interview, Sinner shared some of his coach’s tips on how to succeed on the surface.

“To make friendship with the grass,” he said with a smile. “Darren always tells me this. Be kind to the grass and something positive will happen.”

Sinner now awaits the winner of Ben Shelton and Denis Shapovalov - one of four matches suspended due to rain throughout the day.

Tennis always embraces a throwback classic, which was no different when 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov got the better of showman Gaël Monfils - sharing a combined age of 70. There was an extra narrative pre-match, as both players claimed Wimbledon Junior titles in 2004 (Monfils) and 2008 (Dimitrov).

Women’s Results:

Jasmine Paolini [7] d. Bianca Andreescu 7-6(4), 6-1

Emma Navarro [19] d. Diana Shnaider 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

Madison Keys [12] d. Marta Kostyuk [18] 6-4, 6-3

Emma Raducanu d. Maria Sakkari [9] 6-2, 6-3

Lulu Sun (Qualifier) d. Lin Zhu 7-6(4), 7-6(6)

Coco Gauff [2] d. Sonay Kartal (Qualifier) 6-4, 6-0

Paula Badosa d. Daria Kasatkina [14] 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-4

Donna Vekić d. Dayana Yastremska [28] 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-1

British hopes rest on the shoulders of Emma Raducanu, who reached the second week of a major for the first time since her historic US Open run three years ago.

Playing in front of a home crowd on centre court, the 21-year-old was impressively composed under pressure, landing 76 percent of her first serves in an encouraging day at the office.

Raducanu is the second youngest player from Great Britain to defeat a top 10-ranked player at a Grand Slam in the last four decades.

Next up, a round of 16 clash with New Zealand feel-good story Lulu Sun, continuing her unbelievable wave of momentum.

Having entered the main draw as a qualifier, the 23-year-old has claimed six consecutive scalps at the All England Club in the space of 10 days - notably defeating world No.8 Qinwen Zheng in the first round.

The remarkable journey of Sonay Kartal came to an end against reigning US Open winner Coco Gauff in straight sets.

Kartal, the first British qualifier to reach the third round of Wimbledon since 1997, managed to stay competitive in the opening set as she recovered to break back for 4-4, before losing eight straight games.

It sets up an all-American affair between Gauff and 19th seed Emma Navarro in the fourth round.

Navarro, 23, has found herself in the form of her life in the months leading in, dispatching Naomi Osaka in the previous round before recovering from one set down against promising talent Diana Shnaider overnight.

For the first time in her career, seventh seed Jasmine Paolini sealed her passage through to the fourth round of Wimbledon after defeating former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu.

A French Open finalist only one month ago, the Italian is still going about her business quietly with little expectation that she can reach back-to-back Grand Slam finals.

CATCH ALL THE ACTION ON STAN SPORT.