Spaniard Alcaraz is a keen football fan and had spoken of his desire to be able to watch Spain in their Euro 2024 semi-final against France later on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old looked like he was in a rush to finish his match as he instantly piled on the pressure and took his sixth break-point opportunity to move 2-1 ahead.

However, Paul, the winner at Queen’s Club last month, instantly got back on serve as a pulsating encounter full of breath-taking shots, power and commitment played out in front of an enthralled Court One crowd.

The sixth game lasted more than 15 minutes, with Paul, in his first Wimbledon quarter-final, missing three chances of a break.

But that did not prove costly.

He was two points from the set in the 10th game, but got over the line two games later, finishing off a delightful passing shot which Alcaraz at full stretch could not reach.

Paul took a 2-0 lead in the second set, but from then on Alcaraz recovered and thanks to his court coverage, ability to find spectacular winners and his impressive first serves, he began to stamp his authority.

The opening three games of the third set saw neither player able to hold their serve, but with Paul tiring and starting to produce unforced errors, Alcaraz pulled clear taking both the third and fourth sets 6-2 to seal a superb victory.

“When I lost the first set it was difficult,” said Alcaraz. “But I knew it’s a really long journey so I had to stay there.

“If I’m struggling and the opponent is playing great tennis, I believe I’ll be able to come back and find solutions – I believe in myself the whole time.”