It should be an entertaining sixth day at Wimbledon with eight fascinating third-round matches on the slate at the All England Club. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Lorenzo Sonego vs Rafael Nadal. But who will reach the second week in SW19?
Wimbledon Day 6 Predictions
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Nick Kyrgios
Shane: Holding an 8-2 record on the surface this season, Stefanos Tsitsipas has seemingly found comfort with the grass courts of Wimbledon. Nick Kyrgios, however, is a strong grass-court player in his own right. Kyrgios holds a 3-1 lead over Tsitsipas, having won their most recent match on grass in Halle earlier this month. With that said, I do not think the Australian has the competitive stamina to last in a longer match. I will take the Greek in a tight five sets.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 5
Damian: Is this finally a Grand Slam tournament Kyrgios can threaten to win? All signs are pointing to it, but this is definitely a key match. His only loss to Tsitsipas came at Laver Cup last year, but he’s defeated him on three other occasions, including a couple of weeks ago in Halle. The massive serve seriously tests the Greek’s backhand return and Kyrgios has an easy time applying pressure to that wing in general. He’s got every tool needed to win this one, but will undoubtedly shoot himself in the foot at least a few times.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 5
Definitely the match of the day. After a tough five-set opener against Paul Jubb, Kyrgios put down a marker against Filip Krajinovic, dropping just six games. The controversial Australian has a rivalry with Tsitsipas and has never lost to him outside of Laver Cup. Kyrgios is looking to reach the second week at Wimbledon for the first time since 2016. Tsitsipas is on a six-match win streak with his most recent loss coming against the 27-year-old at Halle. It should be a fascinating match and we are almost guaranteed to see Kyrgios at his finest here, which is likely beyond Tsitsipas’ abilities on grass.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 4
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Taylor Fritz vs Alex Molcan
Shane: Both Taylor Fritz and Alex Molcan cruised through their first two matches and are in fine form ahead of this third-round clash. I have enjoyed watching the Americans’ comfort on the grass grow with seemingly every set. I think his decisive serving advantage puts him over the top.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Damian: Molcan seems to be really finding his grass-court footing and the Slovakian has shown recently that he shouldn’t be afraid of faster surfaces at all. He’ll hand Fritz his toughest challenge yet, but it’s still a rather favorable draw for the American. He’s playing with a lot of confidence off his Eastbourne run and has upped his game massively this year. He’s now ready to secure his spot in the second week at another Slam, something that he was unable to achieve before the 2022 Australian Open.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Fritz has looked very good here, not dropping a set against Lorenzo Musetti and Alastair Gray. The American is now on a six-match winning streak and is probably the favorite to reach the quarterfinals out of his section, which would be a first for Fritz. Molcan has done well at his Wimbledon debut, beating Pedro Martinez and Marcos Giron. The Slovak is a good counterpuncher and could capitalize if Fritz is misfiring but the American is definitely the favorite here.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
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Botic van de Zandschulp vs Richard Gasquet
Shane: Richard Gasquet has done well on the grass throughout his career. That has continued through the first two rounds of Wimbledon as the Frenchman is into the third round of a Slam for the first time since 2018. Botic van de Zandschulp has been extremely impressive this year as well as the more consistent player. I think Gasquet pushes him early, but the Dutchman ultimately prevails.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 4
Damian: Van de Zandschulp has it all – the big serve and arsenal of weapons, but also great movement and defense. It’s a dangerous mix and while the Dutchman is (probably) not winning the event, he’s been very consistent at defeating lower-ranked opposition. Gasquet is a two-time Wimbledon semifinalist but you also have to question him physically at this stage and van de Zandschulp is not a player you want to face when you’re 36 and coming off two tough battles.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 4
After beating Feliciano Lopez in the first round, van De Zandschulp has followed it up with a strong win over Emil Ruusuvuori. Gasquet has had a bit of a tougher time, going five against Joao Sousa in the opener before beating Mackenzie McDonald. The French veteran had to retire from their previous meeting at the Australian Open and now not only gets the chance for a redo, he will also be trying to reach the fourth round for the first time since 2016. It will take a vintage Gasquet performance to upset van de Zandschulp though.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 4
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Jenson Brooksby vs Cristian Garin
Shane: Jenson Brooksby won his first two career Wimbledon matches in straight sets. The American’s unorthodox style of play has frustrated his opponents thus far in London. Cristian Garin also advanced through his first two rounds without dropping a set. Garin has been in poor form this season and does not have much of a history on grass, so his early success has been somewhat of a surprise. With that said, I favor Brooksby in a clean four sets.
Prediction: Brooksby in 4
Damian: This is a brilliant chance for both. Garin actually reached the fourth round here last year, but his draw was even more of a cakewalk back then (mostly as he didn’t have to face someone like Jenson Brooksby). The American was flying under the radar coming into London this year due to disastrous form in the warm-ups, but he’s been excellent in the wins against Mikhail Kukushkin and Benjamin Bonzi, fending off both tricky opponents in straight sets.
Prediction: Brooksby in 4
Brooksby has been very impressive so far, beating experienced qualifier Kukushkin and an in-form Bonzi, both in straight sets. Like in his fourth-round run last year, Garin has taken advantage of the draw. The Chilean was due to face Matteo Berrettini in his opener before the Italian had to pull out due to Covid. Garin has gotten to face two lucky losers instead, taking out Elias Ymer and Hugo Grenier in straight sets. I expect Brooksby to win here as Garin’s luck runs out.
Prediction: Brooksby in 3
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