Wimbledon 2021: Daniil Medvedev overtakes teenager Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauf stuns Elena Vesnina

Second-seeded Daniil Medvedev defeated Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz early in the fight before cruelly dispatching the talented teenager 6-4 6-1 6-2 in the third round at Wimbledon on Thursday.

The 18-year-old Alcaraz, who has enjoyed a rapid rise up the rankings this year to 75th place, received a hearty send-off from the Court One crowd after showcasing his potential and flashes of his shot-making talent.

Yet Medvedev had too much for the youngster and turned on the afterburners in the second and third sets to hand out a punishing lesson to his opponent.

“Carlos is an amazing player,” said Medvedev, who will next face either former finalist Marin Cilic of Croatia or French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi.

“I am sure he will soon be top 10 or higher.”

GAUFF MAKING ANOTHER WIMBLEDON RUN

Back on Centre Court, Coco Gauff beat an opponent twice her age to reach the third round at Wimbledon.

The 17-year-old American defeated 34-year-old Russian veteran Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-3 to keep her on track for making another run into the second week at the All England Club.

Gauff became an instant sensation when she reached the fourth round two years ago at the age of 15 — saving a match point before beating Polona Hercog on Centre Court in the third round. She has since won two WTA titles and made the quarterfinals at this year’s French Open.

Gauff had a slight wobble at 3-0 in the second set when she missed an easy forehand to be broken for the first time at this year’s tournament. But she broke again to clinch the win when Vesnina double-faulted on match point.

Vesnina was making her 13th appearance at Wimbledon and made the semifinals in 2016.