Champion Alcaraz beats Tiafoe in five-set thriller
![Carlos Alcaraz celebrates a point](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/2048/cpsprodpb/1725/live/9ef6d6f0-3aea-11ef-bdc5-41d7421c2adf.jpg)
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final
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Published
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz avoided a surprise exit at Wimbledon by holding off American Frances Tiafoe in a five-set thriller.
The Spaniard won an intense match 5-7 6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 in front of a raucous Centre Court crowd.
It keeps Alcaraz’s hopes of winning back-to-back major titles alive after triumphing at the French Open last month.
“Obviously it is always a big challenge playing against Frances,” Alcaraz said.
“All I was thinking is ‘fight one more ball’.”
The 21-year-old will play American Brandon Nakashima or French 16th seed Ugo Humbert in the third round.
More to follow.