Carlos Alcaraz advanced another step towards defending his Wimbledon title after a hard-fought victory over Ugo Humbert.

The 21-year-old Spaniard battled past the 16th seed Humbert with a 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 scoreline, securing his spot in the quarterfinals at SW19.

Alcaraz extended his impressive Grand Slam winning streak to 11 matches following his triumph at the French Open last month.

Reflecting on his performance, he expressed satisfaction, stating, “I feel great playing today, I think I played a really high level.” Despite facing a left-handed opponent, Alcaraz focused on his own game plan rather than the handedness of his opponent.

Next, Alcaraz is set to meet either compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut or American 12th seed Tommy Paul, the reigning champion of Queen’s Club.

The match began under the shadow of doubts about matching the excitement of Alcaraz’s previous five-set thriller against Frances Tiafoe on Friday.

Initially, Alcaraz comfortably secured a two-set lead, seemingly setting the stage for a straightforward encounter.

However, a determined Humbert seized the momentum in the third set, breaking Alcaraz’s serve three times with impressive winners.

As tensions escalated in the fourth set, both players struggled to maintain their serves amidst intense rallies.

Alcaraz, visibly animated and seeking support from the crowd and his team, found renewed energy when it mattered most.

Holding his serve under immense pressure, he broke Humbert to lead 6-5 and served out the match to secure victory.

In a gesture of gratitude, the relieved defending champion acknowledged the support from all corners of Centre Court, applauding the spectators for their encouragement throughout the match.