CALL-me-Ollie forced big-time Charlie to work for the win – and then some.
Previously unknown Brit Oliver Tarvet made it clear what he wanted to be called.
PACarlos Alcaraz won in straight sets[/caption]
ReutersBritain’s Oliver Tarvet put up a strong fight and broke serve twice[/caption]
APThere was mutual respect between them at the end[/caption]
PATarvet’s girlfriend Helaena Staebler was all smiles in the stands[/caption]
And the world No733 certainly made a name for himself with a performance against reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz that was even better than the 6-1 6-4 6-4 scoreline suggested.
Even the first set was much closer than it might seem, as the San Diego-based student showed again how much he had learned on the college circuit in the USA.
Alcaraz was not at his best, just as in his first-round victory against Fabio Fognini.
And qualifier Tarvet, 21, made life so difficult for the Spaniard right for so long, with his combination of speed, athleticism, skill and sheer guts.
It was not until the second set that the first chants of “Let’s go, Ollie, let’s go” and “Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Oi, Oi, Oi” broke out on Centre Court.
A player that most of the home fans would never have heard of until this week earned the love and respect of the British crowd
And the way he played suggested these will not be his only days in the sun.
From the beginning – and for most of the match – Tarvet put Alcaraz under pressure.
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He had three break points in the first and had multiple chances to take the Alcaraz serve in two more games in the first set. Yet he somehow lost it 6-1.
Alcaraz was erratic, flipping from the ridiculous to the sublime.
When the Spaniard produced the latter in the second game of the second set, Tarvet stared in disbelief.
But the Brit refocused and at last broke his opponent’s serve.
The shock seemed to wake Alcaraz up and he hit back immediately. The pair traded games and some superb rallies, with Tarvet chasing down every ball and finding some winners of his own.
Until the No2 seed made his move, winning the ninth game and then serving it out with an ace.
Still Tarvet would not lie down and he had the crowd on their feet again when he broke back to level the third set at 3-3.
PAHelaena and Tarvet met at San Diego University[/caption]
AFPThis is Tarvet’s debut in a senior tournament, ATP Tour and Grand Slam[/caption]
Alcaraz was having none of it, though, once more regaining the advantage.
“No, no!” yelled Tarvet in the eighth game when he buried a makeable shot in the net.
The Brit kept Alcaraz honest, forcing the reigning champion to serve it out.
The match will have felt longer than two hours and 16 minutes to the Spaniard.
Whatever happens next, Tarvet has created memories for life.
ReutersTarvet left Centre Court a hero in defeat[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
