Key events
More trouble for Katie Boulter, who is broken at love to open the third set. Sierra, the world No 101 making her main-draw debut here, quickly backs up the break for a 6-7(7), 6-2, 2-0 edge.
Thanks, Will. The British hope Katie Boulter is into a decider with the Argentinian lucky loser Solana Sierra on No 1 Court after dropping the second set, 6-2. Boulter won just 8% of her points behind her second serve in that set and her negative body language has prompted some spirited words of encouragement from her coach.
On that note, I am going to head off and Bryan Armen Graham will be taking over for the remainder of this blog.
Alcaraz embraces Tarvet warmly at the net and offers a few kind words and some obvious respect.
Alcaraz beats Tarvet in straight sets
Carlos Alcaraz has seen off Ollie Tarvet (6-1, 6-4, 6-4). It was anything but straightforward for the Spaniard who was made to work extremely hard by the British qualifier, allowing the loser on this occasion to leave with great pride and a growing reputation.
Tarvet’s service game begins with raucous noise from the stands. Tarvet, however, pings a backhand into the net as Alcaraz sense victory. Not to worry, he wins the next couple of points as the Spaniard struggles returning. Alcaraz will have to serve to win this match.
This is not offence to Ollie Tarvet but what these opening two matches have shown for Alcaraz is that he is certainly not at his best. Others looking to challenge for the title will be less worried about him than when they arrived. Admittedly, he is one game away from being in the third round but is really having to work for it.
And Boulter is broken, Sierra sending a rocketing forehand that is too fast for the Briton. This game could be going the distance at this rate.
Once again, being broken has irked Alcaraz. Bish, bash, bosh and the Spaniard has three Break Points. A ripping return to a second serve does the job. 4-3 to Alcaraz in the third, he serves next.
TARVET BREAKS BACK! Tarvet earns himself two break points after Alcaraz’s backhand volley at the net goes awry. Tarvet drops to his knees after Alcaraz loosely sends one long.
It is not vintage stuff in Boulter v Sierra but the Briton is gritting it out. It looks plain sailing in her opening service game of the second set but she throws away a couple of set points, leading to Deuce. After a few false starts, she eventually fires and Sierra can’t do much about it.
Tarvet has great speed across the court and takes plenty of pleasure in chasing down an Alcaraz drop shot, sliding across the turf to do so, winning the point in the process. He offers up a hot dog on the next point but to no avail. The game eventually goes to Deuce where Alcaraz takes control and breaks with a whipped forehand.
It is going with serve on Centre in the third. Alcaraz finishes off his latest service game by pushing Tarvet out wide. The Briton manages to return but Alcaraz has little trouble finding the vacant space to make it 2-2 in the third.
BOULTER WINS THE FIRST SET! Boulter and Sierra end up in a first set tie-break. Boutler rattles to an early 4-1 lead. Sierra manages to battle back and the tie-break reaches 6-6 as she maintains her composure in a lengthy rally. Boulter earns the chance to serve for the set but needlessly whacks a backhand into the net. Boulter and Sierra seem to be fighting themselves as much as one another. At the fourth time of asking, Boulter wins Set Point to get her up and running.
Tarvet will keep fighting to the bitter end, that’s for sure. The opening point of Alcaraz’s service game producing a lengthy rally, ended by a pummelling forehand from Tarvet at the baseline. From here on it, however, it is all Alcaraz, who does not give Tarvet anything to work with.
Tarvet went for a little break and is back on court against Alcaraz. He opens the third – and probably – final set and battles his way to Deuce with a cracking serve down the middle as he saves two break points. It takes a bit of back and forth but eventually Tarvet completes the hold to earn a roar on Centre Court.
Nuno Borges knocks out Billy Harris. The Briton gave it everything in the third set tie-back but his opponent progresses (6-3, 6-4, 7-6).
After all that hard work, Boulter opens with a double fault. Boulter does, however, recover from this mishap and takes the game after Sierra miscues a return. The scores are level at 5-5!
Billy Harris battles to extend the match against Borges, taking the third set to a tie-break.
BOULTER BREAKS! Sierra leads 5-4 but Boulter takes things back on serve.
Alcaraz wins the second set 6-4 against Tarvet.
Boulter produces some big serves which Sierra cannot return as she manages to hold and stay in the opening set. Sierra, however, has the chance to serve it out.
You can tell how hard Alcaraz is finding things because he is really celebrating every point won. The Spaniard wins the first few points of Tarvet’s service game, leaving the Briton irked by his own profligacy. Alcaraz breaks and has the chance to serve for the second set.
A double fault from Boulter gifts Sierra a second break of the opening set. Boulter needs to improve her serving quickly to avoid a dismal afternoon.
A stunning rally finishes with a stupendous Tarvet forehand from the baseline which has too much pace and power for Alcaraz, who sticks out a forlorn racket. He eventually beats the hold by racing to reach a drop shot and just getting it back over, leaving Alcaraz with little chance to return.
Tarvet is certainly not being outclassed, producing some fine tennis that any of the top 20 would be proud of and is certainly making Alcaraz work. Tarvet has an impressively mentality where he fights for every point to the end, unperturbed by who his opponent is. Admittedly, it is not enough on this occasion as Alcaraz holds to make it 3-3 in the second.
Naturally, Sierra breaks straight back against Boulter and then holds to take a 2-1 lead in the opening set.
Tarvet does hold! Tarvet is doing his bet to work Alcaraz around the court but it is an unenforced error as the Spaniard sends a drop shot into the net.
A fine day for Cameron Norrie.
After a couple of breaks in a row, Alcaraz holds. There is a moment of amusement after Tarvet top edges a shot into the crowd and a fan does not want to give it back until a sheepish steward shows up. Can Tarvet hold?
Things start very well for Boulter as she breaks Sierra in the first game of the match on Court One. That should be a useful confidence booster.
Katie Boulter is underway in her clash with Solana Sierra. One to keep an eye.