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Wimbledon Day 5 Predictions Including Novak Djokovic vs Hubert Hurkacz

Hubert Hurkacz

The third round at Wimbledon kicks off with Novak Djokovic battling the upstart Polish player Hubert Hurkacz. Daniil Medvedev drew the steady David Goffin, and big servers Reilly Opelka and Milos Raonic will likely battle in a series of tiebreaks. Our panel of Yesh Ginsburg and Jim Smith offer their predictions. We also have predictions for matches featuring Kevin Anderson and Karen Khachanov.

Novak Djokovic vs Hubert Hurkacz

Yesh: Djokovic won’t have as easy a time against Hurkacz as he did in his first two matches. The World #1 has looked dominant in most of his time on court here, but has gone through the odd spell of poor play. Djokovic in 3

Jim: Hurkacz may not be the most natural grass-courter, but he has show so far at the All England Club that he can be dangerous on any surface. The problem for the Pole in the third round is that he finds himself up against one of the very best grass-courters in the game. Djokovic’s ability to spread the court and his superb returning will surely be too much for Hurkacz to contend with, though he has the quality to give the great Serbian his first real test. Djokovic in 4 

Daniil Medvedev vs David Goffin

Yesh: Both of these players are very solid overall. Medvedev plays with more power, but Goffin is more consistent. This really could go either way. Goffin in 4

Jim: After a long period of toil, Goffin has finally rediscovered the form that took him to the final at the O2 in 2017. Aside from a frail second serve, the Belgian has an all-but complete game and belongs at the top of the sport. He will, however, need to be at his very best against the Russian Medvedev. Ultimately though, Goffin can take Medvedev’s time away. The reverse is not true, and that should prove decisive. Goffin in 5

Fernando Verdasco vs Thomas Fabbiano

Yesh: Verdasco pulled off an amazing comeback–aided by an unfortunate injury–to defeat Kyle Edmund. Now he gets to face the newly-discovered Fabbiano, who suddenly seems unbeatable on grass. Fabbiano in 3

Jim: It has been a superb week for Fabbiano, who has backed up his semifinal run in Eastbourne superbly by upsetting Stefanos Tsitsipas in five before ousting Ivo Karlovic, again after going the distance. Verdasco too went five in the second round, rallying past British #1 Kyle Edmund after going two sets down. And in the third round, his power and accuracy seem likely to cause the Italian Fabbiano real problems. Verdasco in 4 

Reilly Opelka vs Milos Raonic

Yesh: This should be one heck of a match. Both of these players have underrated baseline games, but Opelka’s is better. Still, this probably comes down to tiebreaks. And if we go five sets, Wimbledon’s new tiebreak rule might come into effect at 12-12. Opelka in 4

Jim: Not one of the most watchable matches of the day, as the serve seems destined to rule the day in this one. Opelka looks to have a bright future in the game thanks to his monstrous serve, but despite an impressive win over three-time Major champion Stan Wawrinka, he does seem to lack variety. And Raonic has a good record against his fellow big servers. Expect the Canadian to improve on it. Raonic in 4

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