Taylor Fritz’s class on the grass gives him a genuine shot against Alcaraz

The American has long hovered on the edge of something bigger - at Wimbledon he appears to have grown into the player he always hinted at becoming

Taylor Fritz has spent much of his decade-long professional career just outside the tennis elite: close enough to peer in, but not quite break through. That may be about to change. On Friday, the 27-year-old American will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon semi-finals, his biggest match on grass to date and a chance to take down the two-time defending champion.

It promises an attractive clash of styles: Fritz, the power-serving baseliner ranked No 5 in the world, who has sent down 95 aces, the second-most in the tournament. Alcaraz, the all-court magician from Spain riding a 23-match win streak (including 19 in a row at the All England Club), has returned superbly all fortnight, winning 31% of his return games and landing 71% of returns in play. But if tennis were that simple and form and numbers alone determined outcomes, Centre Court wouldn't offer up the theatre it so consistently does.