The fourth-round clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Matteo Berrettini at Wimbledon is expected to be an intense and lengthy battle, based on their previous meetings. In all three encounters since 2021, the matches between the two players have gone the distance, with two of them being decided in a final-set tiebreak. While Alcaraz has had the upper hand in three-set matches, Berrettini emerged victorious in their only Grand Slam meeting at the Australian Open last year, which lasted over four hours.

Berrettini’s recent straight sets victory over Alexander Zverev in the third round, without dropping serve, has made him a dark horse at Wimbledon. Despite not being seeded, Berrettini expressed his excitement about facing tough opponents, stating that playing against the best players in the world is what he wants. He also mentioned his previous match against Alcaraz in Australia, which went to five sets, and expressed his eagerness for the upcoming challenge.

Berrettini’s ranking has dropped to 38th in the world due to missed tournaments and injuries, including his absence from the 2022 Wimbledon due to COVID-19. However, he is determined to make up for lost time and has been playing almost every day in the first week of the tournament. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete and mentioned the days he spent in bed thinking about the tournaments he missed and the sadness he felt.

On the other hand, Alcaraz overcame a tough match against Nicolas Jarry in the third round, lasting four hours. The top seed is now feeling more comfortable on Centre Court after struggling with nerves during his Wimbledon debut last year. Alcaraz emphasized the importance of winning matches on Centre Court to build his confidence and sense of belonging to the prestigious venue.

In other matches, Elena Rybakina will face Beatriz Haddad Maia before Ons Jabeur, last year’s runner-up, takes on twice champion Petra Kvitova. Jabeur expressed her desire for revenge against Kvitova, acknowledging the latter’s impressive playing style and speed.

Overall, the upcoming clash between Alcaraz and Berrettini promises to be a thrilling encounter, given their history of intense battles. Both players are determined to perform at their best and seize the opportunity to advance in the tournament.