Friday at Wimbledon will see the start of the third round, as the elites separate themselves while fairy tale runs take shape… or end. There will be eight men’s singles matches on Day 5, and we predict all of them. We split the matches between two articles, with the other article featuring Jannik Sinner vs Jenson Brooksby. Predicting these matches are Harsh Bhoot, Nurein Ahmed, and Tope Oke. Who do you think will advance?
Wimbledon Day 5 Predictions
Daniil Medvedev vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Harsh:
Medvedev had an okay warmup to Wimbledon, but the eighth seed has started strong here. He faces Struff who has come through two tough five setters and will likely be fatigued entering this match. Medvedev is well rested and has a commanding 8-1 lead in the head-to-head which likely means Medvedev should be the one going ahead.
Prediction: Medvedev in 4
Nurein:
I think this could be an entertaining serve feast. For Medvedev, this is a massive improvement from last year’s shocking first-round exit. Then again, there is almost no shortage of drama when he plays, but I’m backing the Russian to edge this.
Prediction: Medvedev in 5
Tope:
Jan-Lennard Struff somehow survived a five-set epic against Nakashima, saving a match point before outlasting him in a deciding tiebreak, but there’s little time to recover with Daniil Medvedev up next. The Russian needed four sets to shake off a slow start against Daniel Merida, yet history is firmly on his side here, having beaten the German in both their previous Wimbledon meetings. Expect Medvedev’s grass-court pedigree and 8-1 head-to-head edge to prove decisive over a battle-weary Struff.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Rafael Jodar vs Shintaro Mochizuki
Harsh:
Jodar is proving to be a tough player to beat at the Majors. His two sets to one down comeback in the second round showed the fight he has in him. Mochizuki has done well to come through qualifying and then backing that up with two straight sets win but Jodar’s game suits grass well and right now he looks more polished and in form.
Prediction: Jodar in 3
Nurein:
Jodar’s stock has risen rapidly in the past few months, and the Spaniard’s sensational five-set win against countryman Carreno Busta was another indication that his belief is growing by the week. Mochizuki has impressed from qualifying and the Japanese’s variety could expose any uncertainty in Jodar’s game. This should be tricky, but I’d back the high-flying Spaniard.
Prediction: Jodar in 5
Tope:
Rafael Jodar’s grit is undeniable; twice now he’s dug out a five-set win over Pablo Carreno Busta, and that fighting spirit will need to travel well onto grass against Shintaro Mochizuki. The Japanese qualifier is riding a five-match win streak and just dismantled tournament EthanQuinn, so his aggressive baseline game poses a real threat to a Spaniard still finding his feet on the surface. Jodar should have enough in the tank to advance, but don’t expect this one to be a straightforward stroll.
Prediction: Jodar in 4
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Michael Zheng
Harsh:
So far so good for the third seed. The Canadian has a very good chance to reach the semifinals at least with the draw he has gotten. Zheng is young and while he has played well thus far, there exists a big power differential, and Auger-Aliassime should put up a strong performance once more.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Nurein:
This match gets top billing on Centre Court. That is a big surprise, but Auger-Aliassime has earned it. He’s up to a career-high of No. 4 and is a former Wimbledon quarterfinalist. Zheng is no stranger to knocking out big hitters in a Slam. He beat Sebastian Korda at this year’s Australian Open. But Auger-Aliassime’s combination of serve, forehand and grass-court experience will likely overwhelm the American.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Tope:
Felix Auger-Aliassime looks nearly untouchable on serve right now, having faced just two break points through two rounds, and that kind of precision could make life miserable for Michael Zheng. The American qualifier has shown real fight, saving a set point in the last round before riding a five-match win streak into this one, but grinding through four-setters takes a toll that a well-oiled Auger-Aliassime serve will exploit. Expect the Canadian third seed to control the tempo and advance into the Round of 16.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Novak Djokovic vs Arthur Rinderknech
Harsh:
Djokovic is looking very strong, but Rinderknech may be his biggest test yet. Rinderknech will serve well and rush Djokovic, but the Serb did not look fatigued and that means he is ready for whatever Rinderknech may throw at him.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Nurein:
If there were any lingering doubts about Djokovic’s level in his opening match, then the Serbian answered his critics with a phenomenal performance against Tsitsipas. Rinderknech can serve at his absolute peak, but if Djokovic gets as many returns in play, the Frenchman’s best shot is unlikely to hurt the 7-time champion.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Tope:
Arthur Rinderknech blasted 20 aces and never faced a break point in a clean 6-4 7-6(1) 6-3 win over Martin Damm, setting up a third-round date with Novak Djokovic. The Serb looks ominous after dropping just seven unforced errors against 33 winners in a 6-3 6-4 6-2 dismantling of old foe Stefanos Tsitsipas–his 12th straight win in that rivalry. Rinderknech’s big game could make Djokovic work harder than usual on grass, but the 24-time major champion remains the overwhelming favorite to roll on.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
