With eight intriguing third-round matches on the schedule, it should be an entertaining day six at Wimbledon. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Nick Kyrgios. But who will secure their place in the second week at the All England Club?
Wimbledon Day 6 Predictions
Lorenzo Sonego vs Rafael Nadal
Shane: Rafael Nadal has actually looked a bit human during the first two rounds of Wimbledon. He dropped the third set against both Francisco Cerundolo and Ricardas Berankis. With that said, a few extra sets out on the grass is not the worst thing for Rafa. He takes on Lorenzo Sonego for the first time who has been a fine grass-court player in his own right. I just do not see the Italian possessing consistent enough weapons to take out Nadal in a best of five.
Prediction: Nadal in 4
Damian: Nadal hasn’t been at his best so far this Wimbledon and Sonego is playing well enough to cause the Spaniard plenty of trouble. He’s got the power to keep the 22-time Grand Slam champion on the backfoot and will ask questions requiring an answer. However, it’s been proven time and time again how tough it is to actually take out Nadal in the best-of-five format. When push comes to shove, the Spaniard could simply be too strong mentally again.
Prediction: Nadal in 4
After beating Cerundolo and Berankis in straight sets, Nadal will get a bit of a tougher challenge in Sonego. The Italian is looking to make the second week again after last year and has looked very good in wins over Denis Kudla and Hugo Gaston. Nadal has looked shaky at times but write him off at your own peril.
Prediction: Nadal in 4
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Brandon Nakashima vs Daniel Elahi Galan
Shane: Brandon Nakashima picked up one of the biggest wins of his young career in the second round. He bested 13th seed Denis Shapovalov 6-2 4-6 6-1 7-6. Daniel Galan, on the other hand, received a walkover into the third round after Roberto Bautista Agut pulled out due to covid-19. Galan is a strong clay-court player in his own right but I do not see that success translating over to the grass. The young American seems to be peaking at the right time and should roll here.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Damian: Both players were given a helping hand when Bautista Agut withdrew from the tournament due to testing positive for the coronavirus. Galan didn’t even have to play his second-round match, while Nakashima gets a much easier opponent in this one. The American should really capitalize on this opportunity, he’s enjoying a stellar grass-court season and can glue himself to the baseline to take time away from his opponents.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
After a strong win over Denis Shapovalov, Nakashima gets rewarded with the easiest third-round draw. Galan, a clay court specialist, got a walkover in the second round as Bautista Agut had to. I would be shocked if the Colombian makes this difficult for the young American.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
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Liam Broady vs Alex de Minaur
Shane: After besting Jack Draper in the second round, Alex de Minaur will have to face another Brit in Liam Broady. Broady is coming off an incredible five-set victory over Diego Schwartzman as he was on the brink of elimination in the fourth set. That 3-hour and 49-minute match could take its toll on the Brit who is not used to best of five matches. The Australian has always loved the grass courts and should relish this opportunity to reach the fourth round against a lower-ranked opponent.
Prediction: de Minaur in 4
Damian: It’s really surprising that Broady had such poor grass-court records before this year as his flat backhand seems to suit the surface perfectly. The Brit advanced here after a couple of incredibly topsy-turvy matches, especially the one against Diego Schwartzman where he at one point lost eleven games in a row. De Minaur should be much more effective at punishing these mistakes as the Australian is coming off a phenomenal display to take out Broady’s more talented compatriot, Jack Draper.
Prediction: de Minaur in 4
De Minaur is looking to reach the second week here for the first time and he will be a favorite to do it. The Australian impressed in his win over British young gun Jack Draper and his Eastbourne results over the past two years prove his grass prowess. It has been a great run for Broady, defeating Lukas Klein and Diego Schwartzman in five-set battles but with how physical I expect De Minaur to make this match, it is likely a step too far the 28-year-old.
Prediction: de Minaur in 3
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Jack Sock vs Jason Kubler
Shane: Australian qualifier Jason Kubler dispatched Dan Evans and Denis Novak in straight sets to find his way into the third round. It is the furthest Kubler has ever advanced in a Grand Slam. Jack Sock is back into the third round at Wimbledon for the first time since 2016. Sock, who also advanced through qualifying, dominated the grass-court Challenger Tour circuit and is in great form on the surface. I give the American the edge as the former top-ten player seems to have a breath of fresh air in his career.
Prediction: Sock in 4
Damian: Two qualifiers not many had here, even though the seeds in this section had very tough draws (Felix Auger-Aliassime and Dan Evans). Kubler has been on fire this year and it doesn’t really matter which surface he plays on, he’s just in the kind of form where conditions are only a small factor. Sock never did that well in Wimbledon singles (somehow), but he’s proven in the five matches so far that it’s just a matter of sample size. This one feels like a coin toss and should be very competitive. I’ll side with Sock’s touch and artistry to give him the edge.
Prediction: Sock in 5
Two qualifiers battling it out for a spot in the fourth round. Sock was blowing through the match against Maxime Cressy but had it harder as the match continued on the second day. The former-top 10 player held his nerve and closed it out in a fourth-set tiebreak. Kubler will be a very different opponent, though also a tough one as the Australian did not drop a set in wins over Evans and Dennis Novak. Sock’s superior net play should make him a favorite in this match-up on grass and I predict he will reach the second week here for the first time.
Prediction: Sock in 4
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