By Tony Fairbairn At Wimbledon
- Carlos Alcaraz spoke about a potential final with Novak Djokovic after reaching the second week
- Petra Kvitova has played down her chances of winning the title despite another impressive performance
- Ons Jabeur and Bianca Andreescu react to their epic Wimbledon clash
LONDON, ENGLAND – Carlos Alcaraz has targeted a dream final with Novak Djokovic while Petra Kvitova played down her title chances on day six of Wimbledon.
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Alcaraz targets Djokovic final after surviving Jarry test
Our day six talking points start with world number one Carlos Alcaraz who edged through to the second week of Wimbledon for a second year in a row. The Spaniard did it the hard way as he went through in four gruelling sets against Chilean Nicolas Jarry.
Alcaraz was a break down in the fourth but managed to recover to seal his place in the last 16 where he will face Matteo Berrettini. After the match Alcaraz said that a win like today will give him a lot of confidence for the rest of the tournament.
“Well, yeah, this match made me a lot of confidence honestly,” Alcaraz said in his press conference.
“Every match that I win on Centre Court is better for me to get into this court, this atmosphere. As I said, last year it was really tough for me to play first match in the Centre Court. Every match that I didn’t play on that court, I feel, as I said, that I belong to that court.
“Honestly, I see the level of Jarry, the level today, he for sure going to be in the top 10. If I have to bet, I bet at the end of the year he’s going to break the top 10 or he’s going to be really, really close if he’s still playing at that level. I feel really comfortable on that court. I feel with a lot of confidence right now.”
Alcaraz will hope the win against Jarry will help him improve his game as he is on a collision course with Novak Djokovic to meet in the final. Speaking of that dream final, Alcaraz spoke about the potential match-up with the Serb but admitted there is a long way to go.
“Well, not only tennis fans, sports fans want the final. Myself as well, honestly,” Alcaraz said when talking about the potential final.
“I have I think three rounds ahead. I’m really focused on the next round. Is Berrettini or Zverev. Both players have great tennis on grass. Is going to be really tough one. But obviously my dream is play a final here. Even better is Novak.”
Kvitova denies title chances
Alcaraz isn’t the only one targeting a place in the final as Petra Kvitova continued her impressive form to reach the second week. The former champion is yet to drop a set at Wimbledon as she prepares to face last year’s finalist Ons Jabeur.
However Kvitova isn’t getting ahead of herself just yet and has denied that she is one of the favourites for the title.
“I don’t. I don’t see myself as this,” Kvitova responded when asked if she is one of the favourites for the title.
“I think all the big names are still going through and playing deep in the tournament. I don’t really care about the favorites anymore. I’m happy to be in the second week, as you mentioned, first time after 2014. This is already a big achievement for me.”
Even though Kvitova may not be one of the favourites, the ninth seed will fancy her chances of a deep run here. However to do that Kvitova thinks she needs to improve her serve if she wants to advance beyond the last 16.
“I think I would love to improve little bit the serve, for sure,” Kvitova analysed.
“I mean, it didn’t work that much today. It was difficult today to kind of ace. I think she returning pretty well. It was always dangerous. That’s what I think it would be nice if I improve.”
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Jabeur and Andreescu react to epic clash
Speaking of Jabeur, the Tunisian moved into the last 16 with a three set win over Bianca Andreescu in a rain-delayed and dramatic contest. Starting with Jabeur, the sixth seed admitted that it was a frustrating start to the match but was glad to have this kind of test before the second week.
“Yeah, it was a bit frustrating, especially the return. She was serving well and serving on different spots,” Jabeur said about the start of the match.
“It’s kind of tough to return for me, to find my rhythm there. It was frustrating. But if you see it, like, I only lost one serve game. That could change a whole set. But, yeah, I think the second set I start to put more the ball in. I focused more on sticking to the plan. From then, I think it was much better.
“But I’m glad that I got to have this test today to kind of see, play a little bit with my nerves, to play someone that could put you in very stressful position. Definitely glad that I got the situation, this match, better than the next match, because I believe that the next match will be like a lot harder. It’s going to take a lot more to win it.”
Jabeur will be looking to improve her game when she takes on Kvitova on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals. However it’s disappointment for Andreescu, who was very close from having one of her best wins since winning the US Open in 2019.
The Canadian said after the match that there are positives to take from this and hopes that this will be a turning point in her season.
“I mean, right now, I definitely feel very upset. I’m trying my best not to say something that I will regret,” Andreescu stated.
“But if I really think about it, I mean, there are a lot of positives. Like I basically almost lost yesterday. And to be able to have an opportunity today to play again against a top player on Centre Court at Wimbledon, it’s a dream come true.
“There are a lot of positives. I’m really feeling my game today at least. And yesterday obviously, but, you know, having that lead and just from start to finish, just feeling good, is very important to me. So I’m glad I had that.
“Yeah, let’s just say this was the tournament. Maybe this is a turning point for me. I’m really hoping it is.”
Medvedev motivated ahead of second week
Finally, Daniil Medvedev returned to court on day six as he defeated Marton Fucsovics in four sets to reach the second week at Wimbledon for the second time. Medvedev will now face Jiri Lehecka in the last 16 after the Czech Republican defeated Tommy Paul in five sets.
After his win the third seed spoke about his motivation levels as he is set to have his best ever Wimbledon this year.
“I’m very motivated, very determined. For sure I was. I said it before the tournament, that I want to do well here,” Medvedev said in his press conference.
“The thing is that everyone can play well. We saw today, Marton played well. I managed to turn the match around. Great. I play Jiri next. He’s a really strong opponent. I think on grass he can be really dangerous. I’m going to try my best to at least equal the French Open performance. For sure, I mean, right now, as you said yourself, by the results, it’s sure that on clay and the grass I play less good than on hard courts.
“But I want to try to change it and try to be in the finals of slams playing the best players, even on these surfaces. That’s another chance for me this year. I hope I can continue playing the way I played today. I felt like I played well. Hopefully I can continue this way through the tournament. Like this, I’m going to have my chances.”
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