Novak Djokovic battles his fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the third round of Wimbledon while David Goffin takes on Ugo Humbert. We predictions for every third-round match at the Wimbledon Championships including John Isner vs Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Shane Black: #1 seed Novak Djokovic has been dialed in during the first two rounds. He definitely senses what is a great opportunity to capture his 21st Grand Slam title in what has turned into a wide-open Wimbledon draw. 22-year-old Miomir Kecmanovic seems poised to be the next great Serbian on tour, but Djokovic is not quite ready to give up his crown. Djokovic in 3
Damian Kust: Miomir Kecmanovic has done well to get here, but his draw was pretty favorable. The Serbian plays a very consistent and balanced game, but on grass, there’s probably not much he can hurt Novak Djokovic with. Even if the top seed falls into some trouble, he should easily find his way out. Djokovic in 3
Jakub Bobro: Djokovic looked very solid in his second-round match against Thanasi Kokkinakis after dropping a set in his opener. The Serb has played his countryman Kecmanovic twice before, both times at Belgrade. Kecmanovic won a set at their meeting there this season but it is tough to see how he can hurt Djokovic on grass. Djokovic in 3
Ugo Humbert vs David Goffin
Shane: After experiencing some career lows in the first half of 2022, Ugo Humbert has turned it up in London. The Frenchman ousted #3 seed Casper Ruud in four sets last round and seems to be gaining confidence on a surface he has always favored. David Goffin has also looked very comfortable in his two straight set wins this week. I’ll take Humbert in what I see as a coin flip of a match. Humbert in 5
Damian: It wasn’t easy, but Ugo Humbert finally picked up a couple of wins in an otherwise abysmal season. The Frenchman has plenty of potential on grass, but he’s really struggling for confidence now. Has he picked up enough steam to trouble David Goffin, who’s been dominant so far and is a former Wimbledon quarterfinalist? Probably not. Goffin in 4
Jakub: The struggling Frenchman finally looks like has turned a corner this season, taking out third seed Casper Ruud in four sets. Goffin has looked very solid in wins over Radu Albot and Sebastian Baez though, yet to drop a set. This should be an entertaining match and I see the Belgian coming out on top. Goffin in 4
Frances Tiafoe vs Alexander Bublik
Shane: Two of the more entertaining players on tour will meet for the second time this grass court season. Alexander Bublik bested Frances Tiafoe a few weeks back in Eastbourne but the stakes are much higher this go-around. Bublik has top-ten talent when he is firing on all cylinders as he has been in London. With that said, I think the ability of the American to keep his head on straight in what could be a grueling match could be the difference. Tiafoe in 5
Damian: Neither player has lost a set so far and they’re both capable of picking up a deep run. Their match looks like a complete toss-up with Alexander Bublik not always arriving mentally, but being in slightly better form in recent months. I’ll trust the Kazakh to show up, although that often ended poorly in the past. Bublik in 5
Jakub: Tiafoe did not drop a set against qualifiers Andrea Vavassori and Maximilian Marterer and now sets up a popcorn match with Bublik. The Kazakh is a well-known showman on court but has shown a surprising amount of focus so far, beating Marton Fucsovics and Dusan Lajovic in straight sets. Bublik did win 6-0 in the third at their meeting in Eastbourne last week but I see Tiafoe outlasting him here. Tiafoe in 5
Cameron Norrie vs Steve Johnson
Shane: Cameron Norrie has to be counting his blessings after coming back from two sets to one down in Round 2. The top-ranked Brit sits in a very wide-open section of the draw that does not slot him against a top-20 seed until a potential semifinal matchup with Novak Djokovic. His Round 3 opponent, Steve Johnson, would likely have already been eliminated if it was not for an injury to Grigor Dimitrov in Round 1. Norrie should pull away in the end. Norrie in 4
Damian: Cameron Norrie had to go to five sets to defeat Jaume Munar, but made it through. The Brit has an incredible opportunity to get as far as the semifinals here, but he needs to perform at his top level to get there. Steve Johnson has a nice grass skillset with the slice and serve and forehand combination, but I’d say Norrie cleans up his game. Norrie in 4
Jakub: Johnson got a retirement from Grigor Dimitrov in the first round but outplayed tricky wildcard Ryan Peniston in the second round. Norrie got wrapped up in a five-set battle with clay-court specialist Jaume Munar, though he did dominate in sets four and five. Johnson will be an interesting challenge for Norrie after such a long match but the Brit is known for his endurance. Norrie in 4
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