Carlos Alcaraz bounced back after losing his opening set to punish Andrey Rublev 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 for a quarter-final place as the defence of his Wimbledon title enters the serious stage.

The Spanish world No. 2 turned the table on Rublev after dropping the opening set of their fourth-round match-up.

Alcaraz quickly got his powerful game into gear after his short-sharp shock and ran his win streak against top 20 opponents to eight on the trot.

The two-time defending champion has now won his last 22 matches on the Tour and 18 straight at the All England club.

Alcaraz will continue his title defence at the last eight stage against British hope Cam Norrie, who outlasted battling Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (7), 6-7 (5), 6-3.

“This is a sport that can change in one game,” Alcaraz said. “One point can turn everything around

“I had to stay in all the time and remain strong mentally. (After losing the first set) I knew I would play better if I just kept going and make the most of the chances he gave me.

“The break in the second set (for 5-3) turned it all around. I felt more confident

and calm, I could think more clearly.”

Alcaraz said that playing Rublev is a big test. “You feel he is pushing him to the limit. He was running me side to side. 

“I’m happy with how I moved today, I played intelligent and smart – I’m proud of this match.”

Norrie becomes the fourth British man in the Open era to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon on multiple occasions (also 2022).

Norrie stopped Jarry’s winning run here at six matches including three in qualifying rounds; but he spent four and a half hours in his battle for survival after winning the first two sets.

The South American went down with 47 aces among 104 winners and saved a match point in the third set – two hours prior to the official end of the match.

Norrie said he had to dig deep after missing his first winning chance against an opponent who once ranked 16th but entered the court on No. 145 after struggling with his health..

Norrie is also on a comeback after cracking the top 10 several seasons ago but currently standing 61st in the world.  

“I don’t know how I won. Nico stayed with me and played better in both tiebreaks. I had to keep fighting and taking care of serve.

“At the start of the year I was struggling with confidence, I had my doubts. But I wanted to enjoy my tennis a bit more – I’m doing that now.”

Taylor Fritz needed just 41 minutes on court before injured opponent Jordan Thompson had to quit, sending the American fifth seed into his third quarter-final here.

He advanced 6-1, 3-0 when Australian Thompson pulled the plug after playing three points following a medical timeout for existing groin/hamstring problems.

“It’s not the way I want to go through, I was excited to play him today,” Fritz said after clocking his 35h grass victory of the season – unseen on the ATP since 2020. 

“I know he’d been battling in five-set matches and in doubles. I respect him for coming out.

“His body is not right and I feel bad for him, I hope he gets better.”

Fritz said he was going for a hit after his abbreviated time on court.

He will next face Karen Khachanov, who also took a quick path into the sixth Grand Slam quarter-final of his career, revealing that he has rediscovered his love of grass at this edition.

Khachanov booked his spot in the last eight with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Pole Kamil Majchrzak in one and three-quarter hours. 

Khachanov, who lost in the second round a year ago, said: “I’m starting to love grass again, there is nothing more to say,” adding: “after 2024 I didn’t want to come back.”

The 2021 quarter-finalist advanced after winning a pair of tough five-setters in his previous two matches this week.

“I’m happy to be in the last eight, I want to go one more step forward. I’m excited and inspired.”

Khachanov said he was feeling no fatigue after his Friday third-round win, which included a fightback from 2-5 down in the fifth set.

“I recovered well, today I was really fit. I was ready to run and play. I was even ready for another five-setter – but I”m glad it all ended in three.”