Alcaraz, Sabalenka reach quarterfinals at Wimbledon
Alcaraz dropped the first set against the 14th-seeded Rublev but showcased his trademark resilience, rallying to win 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
The 22-year-old Spaniard converted crucial break points in the second and third sets before sealing the match with another break in the fourth.
"One point can change a match completely. You have to stay there all the time, be strong mentally," said Alcaraz, who remains on track for a third consecutive Wimbledon title.
He will next face Cameron Norrie, after the Briton outlasted Chile's Nicolas Jarry in a five-set marathon, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (7), 6-7 (5), 6-3.
Fifth seed Taylor Fritz matched his best Wimbledon performance by reaching the quarterfinals after opponent Jordan Thompson retired due to injury while trailing 6-1, 3-0.
Fritz will now meet Karen Khachanov, who eased past Poland's Kamil Majchrzak 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
World No. 1 Sabalenka overcame a stubborn challenge from Mertens, winning 6-4, 7-6 (4) to book her place in the last eight.
The Belarusian, the only top-six seed remaining in the women's draw, will next face Laura Siegemund, after the 37-year-old German ended lucky loser Solana Sierra's fairytale run with a 6-3, 6-2 victory.
American Amanda Anisimova bolstered her title credentials with a hard-fought 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win over Linda Noskova.
The 13th seed will next take on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who defeated Britain's Sonay Kartal earlier in the day.
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