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Alcaraz and Rune are seen as two of the hottest prospects in the men's game, with expectations increasing they can build an exciting rivalry in the coming years.

Alcaraz was born only a week after Rune in 2003 but is clearly further ahead in his development, having already claimed the world number one ranking and a maiden Grand Slam title.

With a dominant performance in his first Wimbledon quarter-final, the prodigious Spaniard again proved his time is already here.

It is easy to forget Alcaraz is playing in only his fourth senior tournament on grass, such is the speed and quality with which the Queen's champion has adapted this summer.

"For me, it is a dream to be able to play a semi-final here. I think I am playing great, a good level. On this surface, it is crazy," he said.

Rune's development on the grass has also been rapid. He had never won a professional match on the surface until this summer, but it was hoped he could push Alcaraz in an eagerly anticipated encounter.

Rune earned an early break point, which Alcaraz saved with an ace, but further opportunities were scarce.

Alcaraz applied pressure when the Dane twice served to stay in the set, but he held on to tee up a tie-break as the tension continued on Centre Court.

Nobody could confidently predict which way the set decider would go.

But a double fault from Rune at 3-3 handed over the momentum, allowing Alcaraz to take control and unleash a visceral roar when he sealed the advantage with a ripper of a backhand winner.

Another tight set followed with little to choose between the pair. Another mistake from Rune proved fatal.

A smash into the net brought up break point - and groans from an invested crowd - and Alcaraz took it with a crisp backhand down the line.

Rune popped off court for a mental reset and it seemed to work as he confidently held to love at the start of the third set.

But he was given a time violation for taking too long to serve at 2-2, contributing to Alcaraz breaking and the set running away from him.

Alcaraz was unable to take a match point when Rune served at 5-3 but came through a minor wobble in the next game to become the youngest Wimbledon men's semi-finalist since Djokovic in 2007.

"I feel like whoever got that first set had a big advantage," said Rune, who added he did not feel well when he woke up on Wednesday morning.

"I did my best in the circumstances. I fought until the end. He played a good match, I could have played better. It's a part of it and I just have to move on."

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