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 Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka, Jannik Sinner vs Quentin Halys, and Andrey Rublev vs David Goffin. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Yesh Ginsburg, and Damian Kust.
Wimbledon Day 5 Men’s Predictions
Alexander Bublik vs Maximilian Marterer
Jordan:
Bublik is not someone who other players will want to draw. His ultra attacking and mercurial playing style is suited to the grass, and he dispatched Americans Mackenzie Macdonald and J.J. Wolf in the first two rounds. Marterer with his two wins has reached his best Wimbledon result, but Bublik should win.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
Yesh:
Marterer is a solid enough player who has found some good form this week. Unfortunately for him, he has to face a mercurial Bublik who is currently putting everything together beautifully. Bublik will keep going until someone stops him, and Marterer isn’t the guy to do it.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
Damian:
Bublik is living up to his Halle title so far and this is a really nice draw. He has already taken out Wolf and McDonald in a couple of very mature performances though. If he can keep up that level of concentration and motivation, this should be rather straightforward for him.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
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Denis Shapovalov vs Liam Broady
Jordan:
This should be a fun match, and it is hard to predict. Shapovalov is far superior in terms of talent, but he has blown hot and cold for a long time. And Broady will he Uber confident after his win over Casper Ruud. My inkling is Shapovalov will show up for this one.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 4
Yesh:
Broady is coming off one of the biggest wins of his career, a huge upset of Casper Ruud. Shapovalov is playing fine tennis, though, and is more talented, so the fairy tale run probably ends here.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 4
Damian:
Broady played some inspired tennis against Ruud, but this is a very different matchup. Shapovalov will be the one attacking all the time and the outcome will likely depend on his level. So far, he’s been clean enough to be the big favorite in this one.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
Holger Rune vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Jordan:
Rune overcame a slow first set in Round 1. His big serve and flat shots make him one of the very few who I think can challenge Djokovic. Carballés Baena is a plucky competitor but Rune will certainly have too much.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Yesh:
Rune has made enormous strides this year. He’s playing with full confidence, and his game is working beautifully just about everywhere. He might not be ready to take down Djokovic in a Major yet, but he can do it to just about everyone else.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Damian:
Rune will like the fact that it’s not Arnaldi playing him here, but Carballes Baena. While the Spaniard has improved his serve and overall game in faster conditions, it just feels like he won’t be able to put enough pressure on Rune to give him trouble here.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
