Day 5 at Wimbledon usually means the start of the third round, but this year we’ll get a mix of second- and third-round matches due to the rainy first week. We get 16 men’s matches on Friday, eight from each round. However, we were expecting three of those matches to be played on Thursday, so we’ve already predicted those in other articles (including Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexandre Muller and Cameron Norrie vs Christopher Eubanks). We are going to predict the other 13 matches for you now, split between four articles. In addition to this article, the others feature Holger Rune vs Roberto Carballes Baena, Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka, and Andrey Rublev vs David Goffin. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Yesh Ginsburg, and Damian Kust.
Wimbledon Day 5 Men’s Predictions
Alexander Zverev vs Yosuke Watanuki
Jordan:
Zverev finally got to complete his first round match on Thursday due to the weather. He didn’t look perfect, but played the big points well in a 6-4 7-6 7-6 win. The Japanese Watsnuki is talented, but I expect Zverev to grow into the tournament more and more.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Yesh:
Zverev doesn’t look so great on the grass, but that huge serve makes him tough to beat. There are guys in this field who will be able to exploit his weaknesses on the surface, but Watanuki isn’t one of them.
Prediction: Zverev in 4
Damian:
This is a real test for Zverev. Watanuki has a phenomenal serve for his height and takes time away from his opponents like few can. His returning strategy is a bit too risky but if he manages to link a few big ones together, he’ll be extremely tough to face here.
Prediction: Watanuki in 5
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Lorenzo Musetti vs Hubert Hurkacz
Jordan:
I love Musetti’s game, and his improvement on grass has been evident in the two easy wins he has had so far. He is dangerous for the pole, but Hurkacz has the most aces on tour this year, and on grass I think exploiting the Musetti backhand return will be the difference.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 4
Yesh:
Lorenzo Musetti is a rising star, while Hurkacz is very quietly a great grass-court player. At both of their bests, I would take Hurkacz here. But he’s just a step off right now while Musetti is impressing.
Prediction: Musetti in 4
Damian:
Musetti has improved so much this grass swing and the flat first serve is doing real damage. His variety can be a big asset on this surface as well. Hurkacz’s big weaponry is likely to neutralize it, but this isn’t as crystal clear as it would have been even a year ago.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 4
Jannik Sinner vs Quentin Halys
Jordan:
Frenchman Halys warmed up for Wimbledon by playing clay court Challengers but is in the third round to his immense credit. But Sinner has looked superb in his opening two matches, and I think he will blow Halys away.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Yesh:
Halys seems to not like the grass, but you wouldn’t have guessed that based on how he’s played this week. The Frenchman looks in great form, but Sinner is an elite talent and better on the surface.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Damian:
Sinner’s draw is really opening up and this might even be his toughest opponent in the first four or five rounds. Despite not playing a grass warm-up, Halys was excellent in the first two rounds and has a great style for these courts. I expect him to push Sinner and come close.
Prediction: Sinner in 5
Main Photo Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
