After more than an hour of Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune serving up a classic opening set of futuristic tennis, the door suddenly closed. Standing in its way was the World No 1, as Alcaraz took the match away from his young rival and raced through the second and third sets to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final.

This first grand slam meeting between Alcaraz and Rune, and first Wimbledon quarter-final played between two players under the age of 21, burned immensely bright to begin with. The stunning attacking play on both sides, creating fun points and absorbing rallies, seemed set to last until it reached the fading evening light on Centre Court. There was a shine to it, a gleaming freshness, until Alcaraz put his foot down. Staggeringly, after edging ahead by taking the first-set tiebreak, Alcaraz didn’t make a single unforced error in the second set and only one in the third. This was a performance that Novak Djokovic would have been proud of.

By Kieran Jackson on Centre Court

Last year, the emotions were too much for Ons Jabeur. For so long dubbed the woman to bring home Grand Slam glory to a whole continent, the Tunisian’s defeat in the Wimbledon final to Elena Rybakina was too much to take. Just to rub salt in the wounds, the Netflix cameras were present in the warm-up area to see it, as she was consoled by her husband and fitness coach Karim Kamoun.

But revenge is a dish best served cold. A rematch between the pair in the quarter-finals has long been in the pipeline since the draw was first published. Yet on this occasion, back on Centre Court with her emotions again tested after losing a tight first set, Jabeur came out on top in a fashion as bold as it was riveting. Following a 6-7(5), 6-4 6-1 victory, the Wimbledon dream is still alive.

But what swung the match – a toing and froing which saw little to split these grass court connoisseurs – was a game for the ages from Jabeur on her forehand wing. A shot custom to inconsistency, with a slap into the net not unfamiliar, in the end proved her opponent’s undoing when it mattered most.

With today’s action done and dusted, we now have our match-ups finalised for the men’s and women’s semi-finals. They are as follows:

Thursday 13 July

Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs Marketa Vondrousova (CZE)

Ons Jabeur (TUN) [6] vs Aryna Sabalenka [2]

Friday 14 July

Novak Djokovic (SER) [2] vs Jannik Sinner (ITA) [8]

Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [1] vs Daniil Medvedev [3]

As mentioned, Carlos Alcaraz’s opponent in the next round will be Daniil Medvedev after the Russian came through his thrilling quarter-final with Chris Eubanks in five sets.

You can read about how that match played out in full, below:

Speaking after his win, the Spaniard said: “It’s amazing, a dream for me since I started playing tennis to win here at Wimbledon, such a great tournament. Honestly, I didn’t expect to be playing at such a great level on this surface - it’s crazy.

On playing his friend, Rune: “It was tough. In the beginning, I was really nervous but even more so playing against Rune, someone the same age as me and playing at a great level. But as I’ve said a few times, once you get on the court you’re not friends, you have to be focused on yourself.”

On his semi-final opponent, Daniil Medvedev: “It’s going to be a really tough one. His game suits this surface really well but right now I’m going to enjoy this moment. It’s not every year that you get to play a semi-final here.”

GAME, SET AND MATCH - Carlos Alcaraz beats Holger Rune 7-6 6-4 6-4

Rune makes Alcaraz serve it out for the match and it’s a clinical start from the Spaniard as he moves to 40-0 with yet another dominant display on his serve.

Three match points...and two gone. A double fault to start and a passing shot that goes wide sees Rune move back to 40-30.

But it’s third time lucky. A second serve kicks up on Rune and his forehand flies comfortably wide! Smiles at the net before Alcaraz lets out a roar to his box who, along with the whole of centre court, rise to congratulate this simply superb 20-year-old.

A straight-set victory and the number one seed marches on to the semi-finals.

*Alcaraz 7-6 6-4 5-4 Rune

Alcaraz shows his class once again as he takes on Rune’s serve early, putting the Dane on the back foot before the Spaniard smashes it home with ease. Rune then nets to hand Alcaraz a chance at 15-30 but responds well to send the Spaniard scampering across the court as he draws level at 30-30.

It’s to no avail, though, as Alcaraz persists. He capitalises on a second serve to bring up a match point on Rune’s serve...not to be. Rune remains defiant with a good trio of serves to save match point and win the game. He’ll make Alcaraz serve out for the match.

Alcaraz 7-6 6-4 5-3 Rune*

A big backhand response off the Alcaraz serve draws the applause of the centre court crowd but it’s the only point he can muster as Alcaraz remains at his clinical best to hold serve and move within one game of victory.

*Alcaraz 7-6 6-4 4-3 Rune

Rune is drawn wide and can’t recover as Alcaraz whips a forehand winner into the vacant court. The Dane’s energy levels appear to be dropping fast while Alcaraz looks like he’s only just started.

Rune’s forehand clips the net and flies wide as Alcaraz draws level at 30-30. A big point coming up and it’s a big couple of serves from Rune who he shakes his fist at his box. They rise and meet him with a response as the Dane looks to harness every ounce of energy remaining to mount an unlikely comeback.

*Alcaraz 7-6 6-4 4-2 Rune

It’s hardly an opening from Rune but, at 0-15 up, the Dane issues up a tame return to Alcaraz’s second serve which limps into the middle of the net.

Another couple of shots drift wide for the Dane as he gesticulates to his box, shrugging his shoulders, asking them what can be done. Not much is the answer as Alcaraz toys with Rune at the net to consolidate his break and move just two games away from the semi-finals.