A spot in the third round will be up for grabs on day three at Wimbledon, with 32 players set to take to the courts on the hallowed lawns at the All England Club. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Taylor Fritz vs Gabriel Diallo, Jiri Lehecka vs Mattia Bellucci, and Cameron Norrie vs Frances Tiafoe. But who will secure their place in the last 32?
Wimbledon Day 3 Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz vs Oliver Tarvet
Ateet: Carlos Alcaraz was pushed to the extreme by Fabio Fognini, who played a great match. However, Alcaraz was far from his best on serve and forehand and will look to rectify that against Oliver Tarvet, who got his first main draw in at the tour level in the first round. This will be a huge learning experience for the Brit.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Damian: Fognini had an incredible send-off on Centre Court and made the defending champion sweat. It shouldn’t make us think Alcaraz isn’t going to go far here, but perhaps we’ve seen some first cracks that will eventually develop as the week goes on. Fantastic chance for Tarvet to grab big stage experience, although very likely that’s it.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Ilemona: Alcaraz laboured through five gruelling sets against Fognini, while qualifier Tarvet dominated his opener in straight sets. The Brit’s fearless hitting could trouble a fatigued Alcaraz early, but the Spaniard’s clutch play in Slams usually kicks in when it matters. Expect a nervy start before Carlos finds his range.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
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Andrey Rublev vs Lloyd Harris
Ateet: Andrey Rublev made things a lot more difficult than they should have been against Laslo Djere, as the match could have easily gone into a fifth set. Rublev has never lost to Lloyd Harris and defeated him in straight sets in their 2021 Wimbledon second-round encounter. I can see Harris giving a much sterner test, but the outcome should be the same.
Prediction: Rublev in 4
Damian: Harris had many fitness issues coming into Wimbledon, but looked fine facing Bergs in his opener. Rublev on the other hand looks lost on the court at the moment and is capable of making any match difficult for himself. The South African’s big serve and natural grass game will make things tricky and the seed hasn’t been responding well to pressure of late.
Prediction: Harris in 5
Ilemona: Rublev had to work to get past Djere in four sets, but his ball-striking held up when it mattered. Harris served big and stayed steady in key moments against Bergs. If both bring that same level, this could turn into a shootout from the baseline.
Prediction: Rublev in 5
Adrian Mannarino vs Valentin Royer
Ateet: Adrian Mannarino thrives on grass courts, and he certainly did in the first round against Christopher O’Connell to get one of his most impressive wins of the season. He will be the favourite on paper against Valentin Royer.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
Damian: Royer took advantage of Tsitsipas’s retirement to claim his first Grand Slam main draw win. A month ago he would certainly be the favorite to beat Mannarino, but the Frenchman has found his groove on grass and is still so uncomfortable to play against with his lefty flat-hitting. Along with his experience, he’ll probably pick Royer apart.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
Ilemona: Mannarino’s surgical dismantling of Christoper O’Connell reminded everyone why he’s a grass-court specialist, while Royer maintained control in two sets before Stefanos Tsitsipas was forced to retire. The young Frenchman’s grit is impressive, but Mannarino’s slice-and-dice mastery should neutralize his aggression.
Prediction: Mannarino in 5
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Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Ateet: Felix Auger-Aliassime survived another early exit from a Slam as he came back from two sets down. He has been playing some good tennis recently and will be relieved to get through this match. Struff has not been at his best this season and the Canadian should be able to win this match.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4
Damian: Auger-Aliassime hadn’t won a Wimbledon match since 2021 and going 1-2 down against Duckworth he must have had flashbacks from the previous editions. He survived, but did not look comfortable in the process. Struff can utilize the characteristics of this surface a bit better, even despite his lack of form in recent months.
Prediction: Struff in 5
Ilemona: Felix Auger-Aliassime survived a five-set rollercoaster, while Struff cruised through in straights—a worrying contrast for the Canadian. Struff’s explosive serve-and-volley game is tailor-made for grass, and if Felix’s first-serve percentage dips, the German’s momentum could steamroll him. A toss-up, but Struff’s current form edges it.
Prediction: Struff in 5
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
