A mix of styles will feature on the grass courts of Wimbledon on day 5 with spots in the round of 16 on the line. From the big serving John Isner to versatile shotmaker Carlos Alcaraz, day 5 at Wimbledon has something for everyone to enjoy. Our panelists prediction every day 5 match including Novak Djokovic vs Miomir Kecmanovic.
John Isner vs Jannik Sinner
Jakub Bobro: This is a tough match to call. Sinner only got his first tour-level wins on grass when he beat Stan Wawrinka and Mikael Ymer in the first two rounds here. Isner, meanwhile, had to go five sets against qualifier Enzo Couacaud but then showed up on the Centre Court and beat Andy Murray for the first time in his career. Add to that Sinner’s 6-0 6-2 demolishment of the American at Davis Cup last year, which proves this match really could go any direction. I will stick with the American giant here though as his Wimbledon experience could come into this match. Isner in 5
Damian Kust: Jannik Sinner picked up his first two grass-court wins on the main tour, but this is going to be a very tough matchup. John Isner’s serve can make any match get close to a toss-up and while the low bounces of grass don’t necessarily suit the American, if his volleying is as good as against Andy Murray, he could be the favorite here. Isner in 5
Shane Black: Jannik Sinner has passed the early test having not won a tour-level match on grass before this tournament. With that said, the Italian will face his toughest bout yet against John Isner. Isner has pounded 89 aces in two matches. He played some outstanding tennis to get by Andy Murray in Round 2. The American seems very motivated as his career winds down, I just think the Italian has too much skill from the ground to let Isner beat him at the net. Sinner in 5
Tommy Paul vs Jiri Vesely
Jakub: Paul has looked solid so far, dispatching both veteran Fernando Verdasco and strong grass player Adrian Mannarino in straight sets. Vesely also began with a straight-set win, taking out clay specialist Federico Coria in the first round. The second match was much more tough for the Czech, taking out Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 10-7 in the fifth-set tiebreak. Vesely won easily when the two faced off at Wimbledon 2019 but Paul has won their most recent meeting at Adelaide earlier this season. Considering Paul’s progress over the past couple of years and the fact that he will be much fresher than Vesely should make him a favorite here. Paul in 4
Damian: Three years ago Jiri Vesely straight-setted Tommy Paul at Wimbledon, but the American has made a lot of progress since then. He might be the dark horse that nobody’s talking about in London this year, although facing the huge lefty serve of Vesely he’ll need to be very careful. He’s been brilliant so far though. Paul in 4
Shane: Jiri Vesely is back to Round 3 at Wimbledon for the fifth time in his career after a grueling Round 2 victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Tommy Paul, on the other hand, has yet to drop a set in his Wimbledon debut. The American is playing some incredibly clean tennis this week, but Vesely has proven to be a very tough out on the grass. In what is likely a back-and-forth battle, I give the slight edge to the fresher player. Paul in 5
Oscar Otte vs Carlos Alcaraz
Jakub: Otte has barely seen the court in the first two rounds, spending the least time on court heading into the third round. The German allowed Peter Gojowczyk just four games in the first round and played just four games in the second round as qualifier Christian Harrison had to retire from the match. Alcaraz began with a five-set battle against Jan-Lennard Struff but defeated Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets. The German could bring similar challenges to Struff, but on a higher level and that might just be enough to stop the teenage phenom. Otte in 4
Damian: Carlos Alcaraz is getting more and more comfortable on grass and that makes him a very dangerous opponent. But we shouldn’t underestimate Oscar Otte here, who made the semifinals in both Stuttgart and Halle and has a wonderful serve that will put the Spaniard under pressure. Otte’s baseline games has also improved a lot and he can punish Alcaraz for still trying to find his footing. Otte in 5
Shane: #5 seed Carlos Alcaraz and #32 seed Oscar Otte square off in what seems like one of the few sections of the draw to hold firm through two rounds. Otte, who is having a career year at age 28, will be fresh for this match after Christian Harrison retired early in the first set of his last match. On the other hand, Carlos Alcaraz had to work for his two wins and was not the better player in his Round 1 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff. With that said, the comfortability of Alcaraz seemingly increases exponentially with each match on grass. Alcaraz in 4
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Tim van Rijthoven
Jakub: Basilashvili really struggled this season coming in but has found a way to win at Wimbledon this year, coming back from two sets to one down against Lukas Rosol and beating Quentin Halys in four tight sets. Den Bosch champion van Rijthoven has been a great use of a wildcard by the organizers. The Dutchman pulled off an upset over Reilly Opelka in the second round, winning in four sets. van Rijthoven should be tougher competition than Basilashvili played in the first two rounds and I expect him to make the second week here. van Rijthoven in 4
Damian: Nikoloz Basilashvili has come through some wild matches so far, beating Lukas Rosol despite tying him for points won and taking out Quentin Halys despite winning 15 points less. This will be another servefest with Tim van Rijthoven being just as tough to break as his previous opponents, but playing with a lot of confidence right now and possessing a killer backhand slice. van Rijthoven in 4
Shane: Tim van Rijthoven has been the story of the grass season. He picked up his first tour-level win three weeks ago and is 6-0 since. #22 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili had to earn his first two wins at the All England Club. The Georgian, who is arguably the most inconsistent player in the top 50, will likely struggle against the crowd-backed Dutchman. I see van Rijthoven’s Wildcard run continuing into the second week. van Rijthoven in 4
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