On July 2, 2025, as London’s tropical heatwave finally relented, a familiar atmosphere returned to the iconic lawns of Wimbledon. Day three witnessed the resilience of elite athletes like Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka amid the chaos of the previous days filled with unexpected outcomes.
The tournament had already seen heavyweight contenders—including Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev—fall in the scorching heat of the opening rounds.
As Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish sensation aiming for his third consecutive Wimbledon title, faced British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, he must have felt the pressure of potential defeat lurking in the back of his mind, especially after so many upsets.
Despite not delivering his finest performance, Alcaraz overcame a jittery start—saving three break points in his first service game—to assert his dominance with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Sabalenka Advances Against Bouzkova
Earlier on Centre Court, Aryna Sabalenka, the tournament’s top seed, battled her way past Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova, finishing with a score of 7-6(4), 6-4.
“It’s disappointing to witness so many surprises in both the men’s and women’s draws,” remarked Sabalenka, who is in search of her first title at Wimbledon. “I’m just focusing on my own game.”
Madison Keys, the sixth seed and Australian Open champion, also advanced without issues, defeating Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2. Meanwhile, unseeded Naomi Osaka eased past doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova with a solid 6-3, 6-2 performance.
The cooler temperatures did not completely eliminate surprises; Frances Tiafoe, ranked 12th in the world, became the 14th seeded man to exit the tournament after losing 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 to Britain’s Cameron Norrie, who was one of seven local players in action.
Sonay Kartal led the British effort, advancing to the last 32 for a second consecutive year by defeating Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria 6-2, 6-2.
However, Britain’s Katie Boulter faced a tough day, committing 14 double faults in her match against Argentinian Solana Sierra, ultimately losing 6-7(9), 6-2, 6-1.
Alcaraz Praises Tarvet’s Performance
Aiming for a back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon title, Alcaraz had withstood a five-set battle against Fabio Fognini in the first round to set up a fascinating encounter with Tarvet.
Tarvet, a collegiate player from the University of San Diego, expressed confidence in his ability to compete against anyone, including the five-time Grand Slam champion, having won his first-ever Grand Slam match just days prior.
Despite missing several break opportunities in the first set, Tarvet showcased his composure and skill when facing a top-tier competitor.
Ultimately, Alcaraz stepped up his game when it mattered most, keeping the enthusiastic Tarvet in check. The Spaniard continued to endear himself to the Centre Court crowd, having previously assisted a flustered spectator during the heat.
“I want to extend my congratulations to Oliver; it’s only his second match on tour. I genuinely enjoyed watching his gameplay,” Alcaraz stated after the match.
Players on outside courts faced a two-hour delay due to rain, and once the sun was out, Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca took to Court 12 against American Jenson Brooksby in front of excited fans. The 18-year-old showcased his potential by winning 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, gaining admiration from a large contingent of Brazilian supporters.
Raducanu Prepares for Epic Encounter with Sabalenka
Emma Raducanu, undeterred by her opponent’s history of success at Wimbledon, exhibited remarkable poise under pressure during her second-round victory over Marketa Vondrousova, triumphing with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
Despite facing the 2023 champion, who had recently won a title in Berlin, Raducanu displayed confidence and skill reminiscent of her 2021 US Open triumph.
“I felt great out there. Some points were unbelievable, and I’m thrilled with how I turned my game around,” Raducanu told the audience. “I knew this would be an incredibly tough match, but I played well throughout.”
A stunning backhand winner helped her gain a crucial break for a 4-2 lead in the opening set. Although she briefly lost her advantage, Raducanu quickly recovered to secure the set. The Centre Court crowd erupted as Vondrousova faltered at critical moments.
With Vondrousova struggling to find her rhythm under the intense spotlight, Raducanu took full control, eventually sealing her place in the third round against Sabalenka after Vondrousova’s backhand sailed wide.