Philippines and Japan sign defense pact amid growing China tensions

July 8, 2024 | 7:58 pm

PHL-Japan-RAA — JAPANESE Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. shake hands after signing a pact that eases the entry of equipment and troops for combat training in both countries, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara look on. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ KJ ROSALES

By John Victor D. Ordoñez and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporters

THE PHILIPPINES and Japan on Monday signed a pact that eases the entry of equipment and troops for combat training, saying they want stability in the region amid growing tensions with China.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who visited Manila, called the so-called reciprocal access agreement a “landmark achievement.”

“This is another milestone in our shared endeavor to ensure a rules-based international order,” Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. told reporters after the signing.

The agreement is the first of its kind to be signed by Japan in Asia, and coincides with increased Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s expansive claims conflict with those of several Southeast Asian nations.

Ms. Kamikawa and Mr. Teodoro signed the deal in the presence of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara at the presidential palace in Manila.

Ms. Kamikawa and Mr. Kihara were in Manila for the second 2+2 ministerial meeting with their Philippine counterparts.

“Your presence here increases our confidence,” Mr. Marcos told the Japanese side. “I’m very glad that we have come to this day.”

A United Nations-backed tribunal based in the Hague in 2016 voided China’s expansive claims in the sea for being illegal.

Japan, which last year announced its biggest military build-up since World War II in a step away from its post-war pacifism, does not have any claims to the South China Sea, but has a separate maritime dispute with China in the East China Sea, where they have repeatedly faced off.

It has supported the Philippines’ position in the South China Sea and has expressed serious concern over China’s actions, including recent incidents that resulted in damage to Philippine vessels and injured a Filipino sailor.

“The Philippines and other Southeast Asian Nations are situated in… a key junction of Japan’s sea lanes; advancing defense cooperation and exchanges with the Philippines is important for Japan,” Mr. Kihara said.

The Philippines has a visiting forces agreement with the United States and Australia. Tokyo, which hosts the biggest concentration of US forces abroad, has a similar deal with Australia and Britain, and is negotiating another with France.

The reciprocal access agreement will take effect after being ratified by both countries’ Parliaments.

The pact is not targeted against any country, Ms. Kamikawa told a news briefing in Manila after the 2+2 ministerial meeting.

“The Philippines is a strategic partner that shares values and principles with Japan, and strengthening that relationship is not against any particular country in mind but rather something that is crucial for peace and stability in the region,” she said in Japanese.

Japan is committing to provide the Philippines with more patrol vessels and surveillance radar systems that it can deploy in the South China Sea, she said.

“Japan believes that the issue is directly related to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, and it opposes any attempt to change the status quo by force,” Mr. Kihara told the same briefing in Japanese.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo said the military pact with Japan allows the parties to have a framework for cooperation in defense and other related issues. “It could serve as a force for stability in the region, for greater prosperity.”

Joshua Bernard B. Espeña, who teaches foreign policy at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, said Japan has contributed to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region “throughout the years.”

“So, Manila will gladly accept all the help it would get from it,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat. He said the pact’s effectiveness would heavily depend on “American contribution to the larger trilateral and regional alliance network.”

‘DEEP WOUNDS’
Don Mclain Gill, who teaches international relations at De La Salle University, said Japan could not replace the US in case American politics turns inward after the November elections “given the strategic limitations Japan still faces in playing a larger role as a defense partner.”

“But Japan remains one of the most important constants in our foreign policy calculations,” he said via Messenger chat. “In a scenario where the US may dial down its support for Manila, our partnership with Japan is likely to remain steadfast and consistent.”

Meanwhile, activist Antonio L. Tinio said the Senate should reject the military pact with Japan because it puts the Philippines in the middle of a potential war in the South China Sea.

The Philippines could be used as a staging ground for foreign military forces if tensions erupt in the waterway, Mr. Tinio, spokesman of civic group P1NAS, said in a statement.

“P1NAS calls on the Filipino people to oppose this dangerous agreement and calls on the Senate to deny its ratification,” he said.

“This agreement must be seen in the context of the ongoing US-led military build-up in the region. The US is pushing its allies, particularly Japan, towards massive militarization to serve as its proxies,” he added.

The military pact is part of the US strategy to contain China and keep its dominance in Southeast Asia, Mr. Tinio said.

“The reciprocal access agreement confirms the US intention to use the Philippines as a springboard for military action… to support its wars,” he added.

“While we stand firm in defending our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, we must not allow this conflict to be used as a pretext for turning our country into a battleground for a US-China war for regional hegemony,” he said, referring to areas of the sea within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The military pact also “reopens the deep wounds” of war crimes committed by Japan against Filipinos during World War II, he added.

Mr. Tinio said the reciprocal access agreement is not just a simple defense pact.

“It carries profound historical significance that cannot be ignored,” he said. “The Filipino people have not forgotten the atrocities committed during that dark period of our history, including the systematic use of comfort women, the Bataan Death March and countless other war crimes.”

Senate President Francis G. Escudero said they would scrutinize the deal “like other treaties that the Senate is asked to ratify by the Executive.” “Regardless of whether it ‘agitates’ another country, I believe we should pursue it if it is in our national interest and I believe that it is,” he told reporters in a Viber group message — with Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Reuters

Marcos urged to certify as urgent bills on oil regulation

July 8, 2024 | 7:57 pm

Fuel-gas-station — PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should certify as urgent a package of bills that seeks to lower oil prices as another round of fuel price increases looms, a congressman said on Monday.

The Lower Oil Prices bill package, which seeks to regulate the oil industry and centralize the procurement of oil products, could lead to lower petroleum prices if enacted into law, Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. France L. Castro said in a statement.

“This package includes critical measures such as House Bill No. 400 or the Lower Oil Price bill, House Bill No. 3003 to renationalize Petron, House Bill No. 3004 to unbundle oil prices, House Bill No. 3005 for centralized procurement of petroleum and House Bill No. 3006 to regulate the downstream oil industry,” she said.

“This bill package, when made into law, can lower oil prices, cause a domino effect in lowering basic products and services, and at least alleviate the suffering of consumers,” she added.

Fuel retailers on Monday announced an increase in oil prices for the fourth straight week, due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, according to the Department of Energy (DoE).

“Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, an unexpectedly large withdrawal in US crude inventories and optimistic forecasts for summer fuel demand have all contributed to pushing prices in oil products higher,” Energy Director Rodela I. Romero said in a statement last week.

Oil companies said prices on Tuesday would jump by P1.60 per liter of gasoline, P0.65 per liter of diesel and P0.60 per liter of kerosene.

The Philippines deregulated the oil industry in 1998, ultimately resulting in fuel price increases “to go unchecked,” according to House Bill No. 3006 filed by Party-list Reps. France L. Castro, Arlene D. Brosas and Raoul Danniel A. Manuel in 2022.

The bill seeks to create a petroleum regulatory council to police against drastic increases in oil prices and prevent runaway price hikes.

The lawmakers are also seeking to centralize the procurement of imported crude oil by creating a national petroleum exchange system, which would allow the country to buy the cheapest crude oil in the world market.

Under House Bill No. 3005, the National Petroleum Exchange Corp. must get “the best prices” for imported oil products while also ensuring adequate supply.

Also part of the bill package is House Bill No. 400, which will cut the excise tax on petroleum products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law and exempt these from value-added tax.

The measure could slash P6 per liter of diesel and P5.35 per liter of unleaded gasoline, the authors said in the bill’s explanatory note.

The lawmakers are also seeking to make the price-setting by petroleum companies transparent by forcing them to provide a detailed computation of costs.

Under House Bill No. 3004, oil companies must provide a breakdown of costs affecting oil prices such as import and freight costs, refining charges and their profit margins on petroleum products before the DoE Oil Industry Management Bureau and House energy committee.

Legislators are also looking at renationalizing Petron Corp. so the government could use it to set “fair and regulated prices.”

Petron Corp. did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

Under the measure, the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) will reacquire Petron within four years using funds from the national budget.

“Malacañang and the House leadership must prioritize these measures,” Ms. Castro said. “It’s time to stop runaway oil prices and provide real relief to our people.”

She said these reforms should not be delayed because spiraling fuel prices have “far-reaching consequences” on the economy.

“These price hikes don’t just affect transportation; they inflate the costs of basic goods and services, further burdening our already struggling populace,” she added.

SWS: 4 of 10 Filipinos expect life to improve in next 12 months

July 8, 2024 | 7:56 pm

ALMOST half of Filipino adults expect their quality of life to improve in the next 12 months, according to Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll in March.

The pollster in a statement posted on its website said another 44% said they did not expect any changes, 7% said it would worsen, while the rest did not answer.

The pollster said about 13% of the respondents were from Metro Manila, 45% from areas in Luzon outside the capital region, 19% from the Visayas and 23% from Mindanao.

Personal optimism in Metro Manila went down to 42% from 47% in December, to 24% from 27% in the Visayas and to 32% from 43% in Mindanao, SWS said. Optimism in Luzon areas outside Metro Manila went up to 44% from 40%.

SWS said about 12% of Filipinos had at most some elementary education, 25% had some junior high school education, 28% finished junior high school or had vocational schooling, 21% attended college or finished a vocational course, while 10% finished college or took post-graduate studies.

Inflation could ease in the coming months after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issued an order lowering tariffs on rice to 15% from 35%, Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said in a Viber message.

But typhoons could disrupt business operations in the coming months, he added.

Inflation eased to 3.7% in June from 3.9% in May, within the central bank’s 3.4-4.2% forecast, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

SWS earlier said 46% or about 12.9 million Filipinos thought they were poor, compared with 47% or about 13 million in December. It added that 3 of 10 Filipinos rated themselves as borderline poor, while 23% said they were not.

SWS interviewed 1,500 Filipino adults for the poll, which had an error margin of ±2.5 points.

The survey responses are split between optimism and a neutral belief in their future quality of life, Terry L. Ridon, a public investment analyst and convenor of the think tank InfraWatch PH, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“A big portion of these results reflect not just current economic conditions but the general optimistic attitude of Filipinos despite economic difficulties,” he said. “This, however should not be taken by the government as a sign to lose focus on resolving pressing concerns, such as the rising prices of food and basic commodities.”

Roughly half of Filipinos feel that inflation is finally easing, “thus leading higher consumption and to good times ahead,” Leonardo A. Lanzona, who teaches economics at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“The other half thinks that even if inflation slows, prices remain elevated, keeping the situation as is. The rest think we are not out of the woods yet and inflation is going to get worse,” he added. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

DoH told to expand care for poor

July 8, 2024 | 7:56 pm

medical and dental mission — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE HOUSE of Representatives committee on appropriations on Monday ordered the Department of Health (DoH) to improve its implementation of a program that gives poor patients free medical care in government hospitals by expanding its coverage to include private and semi-private wards.

Congressmen agreed on the motion amid reports that poor patients were being forced to stay in private and semi-private wards, which are not free, for lack of bed space in charity wards.

“I move that the secretary of Health be directed to issue an administrative circular reiterating to all DoH, National Government and local government hospitals that the application of the No Balance Billing [policy] includes admission in a private room,” IloIlo Rep. Janette L. Garin, a former Health secretary, told a committee hearing.

Under the policy, poor patients will not be charged additional fees beyond the packaged rates during their confinement period.

“We need to triple our bed capacity to serve millions of Filipinos,” Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa told the hearing.

He said the Philippines has a bed-to-population ratio of 0.5 per 1,000. “The minimum for a health system to function is 1.5 beds per 1,000,” he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

DBM cites limited intel funds

July 8, 2024 | 7:54 pm

CONFIDENTIAL funds in the 2025 national budget would be limited to agencies with security and intelligence functions, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“It would be something similar to what happened in the (2024) General Appropriations Act,” Budget Undersecretary Joselito U. Basilio told economic forum on Monday.

Congress realigned P650 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) in this year’s budget to security agencies.

Lawmakers moved confidential funds worth P300 million to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency; P100 million to the National Security Council; P200 million to the Philippine Coast Guard; and P381.3 million for the development or expansion of an airport on Thitu Island in the South China Sea.

The Budget department is proposing a P6.352-trillion budget for next year, 10.1% higher than this year and equivalent to 22% of economic output. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Binay, Cayetano quarrel

July 8, 2024 | 7:54 pm

SENATOR Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay on Monday asked the ethics committee to punish Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano for accusing her of feeding questions to journalists during briefings on the new Senate building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

In a complaint addressed to committee Chairman Francis N. Tolentino, she also complained about allegedly being called crazy and a gossipmonger.

Mr. Cayetano, who heads the committee on accounts, had accused the Senate of colluding with journalists to influence public perception on the suspension of the construction of the Senate building.

Ms. Binay, citing the Senate rules, said senators could be suspended or expelled through a vote.

Public Works project director Soledad R. Florencio told the Senate accounts committee last week that construction work for the new Senate Building had been delayed by more than two years due to rising costs.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero suspended construction work due to “escalating costs,” citing the need to review expenses and management practices.

At a livestreamed news briefing, Mr. Cayetano stood by his claim that Ms. Binay had tried to discredit his report showing that costs ballooned to P23 billion from P8.9 billion.

“We have our eyes on the ball (with this investigation),” he said in mixed English and Filipino. “What Senator Nancy Binay has done from the start is confuse all of us.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Brownlee earns All Star 5 of FIBA Olympic Qualifiying tilt in Latvia

July 8, 2024 | 7:29 pm

GILAS Pilipinas ace Justin Brownlee earned a spot in the “All Star 5” of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia for his stellar play in the five-day competition.

Mr. Brownlee, who averaged 23 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists over three matches with a performance efficiency valuation of 27.0, joined Bruno Caboclo and Leo Meindl of winner and Paris Olympics qualifier Brazil, Rihards Lomazs of runner-up and host Latvia and Jeremiah Hill of Cameroon in the elite roster.

Mr. Caboclo was adjudged Most Valuable Player of the tournament. A seven-year NBA veteran who currently plays for Partizan in Serbia, Mr. Caboclo banged in 21 in Brazil’s 94-69 romp over Latvia in the finals after his earlier 15-11 double-double in the South Americans’ 71-60 dispatching of Gilas Pilipinas in the semis.

It was a “world, meet Justin Brownlee” stint in Riga for the 6-foot-7 Gilas star.

Mr. Brownlee produced a near triple double of 26-9-9 to key Gilas’ historic 89-80 upset of world No. 6 Latvia at the start of Group A action. He followed it up with a 28-8-8 statline in a fighting 96-94 loss to No. 23 Georgia as the Nationals secured a ticket to the semis. He had 15 in the semis loss to the No. 12 Brazilians.

“The forward was absolutely epic in the competition and so much so that he was heralded at one point as the ‘Michael Jordan of the Philippines’ by teammate Kai Sotto,” the FIBA said in describing Mr. Brownlee.

Mr. “Brownlee was such a beast in every way on the floor and was the inspiring factor for the Gilas Pilipinas as they rode to the Semi-Finals after stunning Latvia in the Group Phase off the back of Mr. Brownlee’s brilliance.” — Olmin Leyba

Upstarts-laden Blu Girls finish in top six of Canada Cup

July 8, 2024 | 7:28 pm

THE FUTURE is bright for the Philippine Blu Girls.

This after the country finished in the top six of the tough Canada Cup International Softball Championship in Surrey, British Columbia despite fielding in a team of upstarts.

The Filipinas came back from a three-run deficit by stringing together four runs in the seventh and last inning for a 4-3 win over the Czech Republic before being shown the door by the heavily favored Australians, 11-0.

“The Blu Girls’ cohesive teamwork and unwavering dedication to the game were evident, earning admiration from both supporters and adversaries alike.

We are in awe of the Blu Girls and will stand by them as they prepare for their next tournament,” said ASAPHIL President Jean Henri Lhuillier.

A catastrophic second inning where in the Philippines allowed the World No. 2 to erupt for a whopping 10 runs sealed the former’s doom while catapulting the latter in the semis.

National team coach Ana Santiago was impressed though by how her young charges showed grit despite their inexperience. — Joey Villar

Palarong Pambansa kicks off Tuesday in Cebu City

July 8, 2024 | 7:28 pm

THE PALARONG Pambansa will be ushered Tuesday at the newly refurbished Cebu City Sports Center right at the heart of the Queen City of the South by either or both of the two highest officials of the land — President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The annual multi-sports meet for grade school athletes will have a traditional parade of colors in a grand ceremony that would be highlighted by the lighting of the cauldron and the playing of the meet’s 2024 theme song titled “Palarong Pambansa Cebu City.”

In the tentative opening program obtained by The Freeman and The STAR at press time, Ms. Duterte-Carpio, who is also outgoing Department of Education secretary, will introduce the Chief Executive as keynote speaker.

While there is no confirmation yet if one or two or both will attend, it would be nice for thousands of athletes battling for sports glory to have both leaders grace the meet being used to produce future sports champions especially that the Paris Olympics is just around the corner.

Also attending the inaugurals are Cebu City acting Mayor Alvin Garcia and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

The event will then have the “Palaro ng Lahi” at Plaza Independencia today before real action unfurls tomorrow at various venues all over the city and nearby towns.

Apart from the traditional sports calendar that included centerpiece track and field and medal-rich swimming, the event will introduce dancesports as a regular discipline.

Also, instead of the usual 17 delegations, this edition will have 19 after DepEd has allowed the National Academy of Sports and a team from schools in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong to field their own delegation.

The champion delegation of every sport will also be declared aside from the general winners from elementary and high school divisions. — Joey Villar

Obiena places fourth in Diamond League’s Paris leg

July 8, 2024 | 7:27 pm

IF EJ OBIENA’S stinging fourth-place finish in the Meeting de Paris over the weekend would be a reflection of what to expect in the Olympics set July 26 to Aug. 11 in the French capital, then the World No. 2 pole-vaulter’s medal chances could be in jeopardy.

Good thing it was not as the Asian king would have at least a month to right the ship and point it towards the direction that he and the rest of the country are dreaming and striving for — end a near century of waiting for a first Olympic medal since Miguel White captured a 400-meter hurdles bronze in the 1936 Berlin Games.

Mr. Obiena managed just 5.75m in the Diamond League’s Paris leg that was good for only fourth.

The Southeast Asian Games champion went for 5.85m and 5.95m hoping for a podium finish but failed in three combined attempts.

Swedish titan Armand Duplantis was again nothing short of magnificent as he expectedly ruled the star-studded field by posting an effortless 6m, besting American Sam Kendricks and French bet Thibaut Collet, who took the silver and bronze with a 5.95m and 5.85m respectively.

The world and Olympic champion and record-holder went after the world mark of 6.24m he owns by going for 6.25m and failed.

He didn’t need to as he already achieved what he initially came for — show everybody who is boss.

Mr. Obiena is expected to rendezvous with his countrymen currently training in nearby Metz and hopefully regroup and soul search for things he needed to do to have a chance at a medal in Paris.

And then it’s off to the races as centerpiece athletics is set Aug. 1 to 11 with the men’s pole vault elimination round set Aug. 3 and finals Aug. 6 (Philippine time). — Joey Villar

Lulu Sun shines to rain on Emma Raducanu parade at Wimbledon

July 8, 2024 | 7:25 pm

LONDON — The word “astonish” decorated the front of Lulu Sun’s white shirt and it proved an entirely appropriate flourish as the 123^rd–ranked qualifier dished out a juddering Wimbledon reality check to Britain’s Emma Raducanu on Sunday.

The flickering hope that Ms. Raducanu’s renaissance could last the distance at the grasscourt Grand Slam was snuffed out emphatically as Ms. Sun knocked out Britain’s last player standing 6-2 5-7 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals.

Ms. Raducanu knew all about the dangers posed by qualifiers at the majors after she herself had triumphed as one at the US Open nearly three years ago.

Yet Ms. Sun’s performance was so impressive that even Ms. Raducanu must have been slightly astonished by the ice-cool composure and unflappable bravery the New Zealander showed to outplay the 2021 Flushing Meadows champion in front of a pumped-up home crowd on Centre Court.

Ms. Raducanu had shown glimpses of her best form over the opening week at the All England Club, and her victory over ninth-seed Maria Sakkari in the previous round had sparked hope among British fans that her revival could prompt a deep run at her home tournament. “Six months ago when I was starting out after surgery, I would have signed for fourth round at Wimbledon,” said Ms. Raducanu, who had operations on both hands and her left ankle last year.

Yet Sunday’s display showed that she was still some way short of the player who stunned the sport as an 18-year-old in New York.

OFF THE PACE
From the start, Ms. Raducanu seemed off the pace, almost sleepy in comparison to the high-energy Ms. Sun, whose ground strokes had far more zip and penetration.

By contrast Ms. Raducanu’s forehand lacked its usual fizz and she seemed to fear releasing the handbrake, perhaps because every time she did, she was frequently off target.

She was unable to build any sustained pressure on the unflappable and indefatigable left-hander Ms. Sun, whose level rarely dipped below a ferocious intensity. Ms. Raducanu may have feared a swell of disapproval from the Centre Court crowd after she brought the curtain down on Andy Murray’s Wimbledon farewell by pulling out of the mixed doubles on Thursday citing stiffness in her wrist.

Yet under the Centre Court roof as the rain fell outside, the fans did their bit, willing her to get a foothold in a contest that Ms. Sun seemed to have under firm control.

New Zealand’s Ms. Sun was superior in all departments racing into a 3-0 lead in the opening set with a double break before comfortably holding off a Raducanu fightback with another break to claim the opener.

The Briton was clinging on for dear life after that, but managed to take the match into a decider with a decisive break in the final game of the second set, yet that was as close as she got to turning the encounter on its head.

After a nasty fall and some lengthy treatment, Ms. Raducanu was broken in the first game of the third set and again as Ms. Sun took a 5-2 lead.

Ms. Raducanu staved off one match point but Ms. Sun would not be denied, smacking a forehand winner to earn another and wrapping up victory when the Briton hit a return long.

If Sun, born in the south of New Zealand to a Croatian father and Chinese mother, was something of an unknown quantity before, her future opponents are catching on fast.

Croatia’s Donna Vekic lies in wait in the quarters and now has some idea of what to expect. — Reuters

Alcaraz, Sinner stay on course for Wimbledon meeting

July 8, 2024 | 7:25 pm

LONDON — Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner stayed on track for a blockbuster Wimbledon showdown by reaching the quarterfinals, while women’s second seed Coco Gauff was sent tumbling out on a soggy Sunday.

French Open champion Mr. Alcaraz, who is looking to defend his Wimbledon trophy and complete what is dubbed the “Channel Slam” in reference to the English Channel that separates Britain and France, battled past Metz-born Ugo Humbert 6-3 6-4 1-6 7-5.

“I think I’m getting better and better every match that I’m playing,” said Mr. Alcaraz, who was happy to avoid another five-set tussle after being taken the distance by Frances Tiafoe in the previous round.

“I’m feeling really comfortable on the court and hitting good points, good shots.”

American 12^th seed Tommy Paul set up a last-eight meeting with the 21-year-old Spaniard after the Queen’s Club champion downed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 7-6(3) 6-2.

Italian Mr. Sinner, who could face Mr. Alcaraz in the semifinals in a rematch of their Roland Garros meeting, was equally impressive in his 6-2 6-4 7-6(9) win over 14^th seed Ben Shelton.

“I’m happy how I handled the situation,” said Mr. Sinner, who neutralized the feisty American’s big serves to prevail.

“It was obviously very, very tough to play against him, one of the best servers we have on tour, very aggressive player.

“I’m happy how I returned today. Yeah, I think that’s for sure one of the keys today.”

The 22-year-old will next meet fifth seed Daniil Medvedev, who he defeated in January to win his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

Russian Medvedev progressed when Bulgarian 10^th seed Grigor Dimitrov retired from their clash while trailing 5-3.

Mr. Sinner’s fellow Italian Jasmine Paolini also advanced thanks to an injury to her opponent, as the teary Madison Keys withdrew at 5-5 in the deciding set of their encounter with a suspected groin problem.

“I hope she recovers soon. We played a really good match. Of course, it’s not the easiest to end like this,” Ms. Paolini said.

“But I have to say that a part of me is happy to be here in the quarterfinal in Wimbledon.”

There was heartbreak for British fans as their last hope Emma Raducanu was dumped out by 123^rd-ranked qualifier Lulu Sun who sealed a 6-2 5-7 6-2 win over the 2021 US Open winner.

Reigning Flushing Meadows champion Coco Gauff did not fare any better as she was hammered 6-4 6-3 by fellow American and 19^th seed Emma Navarro.

Donna Vekic overcame several rain delays to get past Spain’s Paula Badosa 6-2 1-6 6-4 and book a clash with Sun. — Reuters