Tiafoe was seeded 10th at Wimbledon last year, but he has since dropped down the rankings and suffered second-round exits at this year’s Australian Open and French Open.
Now 29th in the world rankings, he frustrated Alcaraz throughout and received the early backing of the crowd after coming back from a break down to take the opening set.
“He is a really talented player, really tough to face,” Alcaraz added. “He deserves to be at the top, he deserves to fight for big things.”
Alcaraz, who had not dropped a set at the Championships until then, regained control in the second, but a single break of serve was enough for Tiafoe to win the third.
The American waved to the crowd and pointed to his ears, calling for more noise under the closed Centre Court roof.
The fans willingly obliged, cheering on the 26-year-old through the fourth set until it reached a tie-break after both players’ serve held firm.
Sensing the crowd were on his opponent’s side, Alcaraz whipped up emotion with cries of “vamos” after striking huge winners and he cruised his way through to force a decider.
From there it was plain sailing for the three-time major winner, who broke twice before raising his arms in celebration after sealing the victory with a delightful drop shot.
He will play American Brandon Nakashima or French 16th seed Ugo Humbert in the fourth round.
Ben Chilwell has been handed a Chelsea lifeline after head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed he is under consideration for selection after returning to training with
Anthony Joshua has revealed a flashpoint in a London pub was the trigger for his threat to smash a chair over Daniel Dubois’ face in the build-up to Saturdayâ
Daniel Dubois tipped the scales at a career-high 17st 10lbs for the first defence of his IBF world heavyweight title against Anthony Joshua at Wembley on Saturd
Kevin De Bruyne will face a late fitness test ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday.The Belgium playmaker was forced off at half-time during