Unheralded Christopher O’Connell becomes the last Aussie standing at Wimbledon

Australia’s Wimbledon hopes sit solely on the shoulders of one man who has a chance to do something he’s never done before in his career.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Christopher O'Connell of Australia celebrates breaking serve against Jiri Vesely of Czech Republic in the Men's Singles second round match during day five of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

On a day when Australia endured a nightmare on the grass courts of Wimbledon, one unheralded Aussie stood tall.

Chris O’Connell did what neither Jason Kubler nor the 15th seeded Alex de Minaur could, he booked his place in the third round of the Grand Slam.

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The 73rd ranked O’Connell took care of business against Jiri Vesely in straight sets, recording the 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 win to move on.

The result means he’s the last standing Australian in the draw after Kubler fell in four sets to the 25th seeded Nicolas Jarry.

De Minaur entered the Grand Slam with high hopes after making the final in Queen’s in his final outing before Wimbledon got underway.

It wasn’t to be as he was swept aside at the hands of Italian Matteo Berrettini in straight sets, losing 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

O’Connell will now carry the Australian flag solo when he heads into his third round contest against American Christopher Eubanks. A win would see him reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

O’Connell is carrying Aussie hopes. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz moved a step closer to a potential Wimbledon title showdown with Novak Djokovic.

World number one Alcaraz defeated 84th-ranked Alexandre Muller of France 6-4, 7-6, 6-3.

“This was my second match on Centre Court. I lost here last year, so I’m happy to win on this beautiful court,” said 20-year-old US Open champion Alcaraz.

Despite victory, 41 unforced errors will be of concern to the Spaniard, who was playing his second-round match a day later than scheduled due to the heavy rain earlier in the week.

Alcaraz will face Chile’s Nicolas Jarry for a spot in the last 16.

Djoker made it through. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Alcaraz is out to reign supreme. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Men’s third seed Daniil Medvedev returned to complete his second-round clash against Adrian Mannarino, the Frenchman who defeated him at Wimbledon five years ago.

The mercurial Russian was two sets and 4-4 ahead when play was halted on day four but quickly wrapped up victory in a third set tie-break.

Danish sixth seed Holger Rune reached the third round for the first time, brushing aside Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 7-6, 6-4.

Seventh seeded Andrey Rublev of Russian and Italian eighth-seed made the last 16 with wins over David Goffin and Quentin Halys respectively.

- with AFP