By Jacob Atkinson
- Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Frances Tiafoe [29]
- Jasmine Paolini [7] v Bianca Andreescu
- Tommy Paul [12] v Alexander Bublik [23]
WIMBLEDON, UK – 2023 Wimbledon champion, Carlos Alcaraz, aims to continue his title defence against seeded American, Frances Tiafoe.
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Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Frances Tiafoe [29] | H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Frances Tiafoe [29] | H2H: Tiafoe leads 2-1 |
| Wimbledon 2024 | Wimbledon, UK |
| Grass | Prize Money: £143,000 |
| First on Centre Court. Play begins at 1:30pm BST. | BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer |
Carlos Alcaraz continued his impressive form into his second-round performance, wiping out Aleksander Vukic in a 7-6 6-2 6-2 straight set victory to advance into the third round. The Spaniard struggled through the first set, facing a couple of breaks, and eventually going to a tie break ending 7-5 to Alcaraz. Despite the early wobbles, the third seed picked up his usual pace and the following sets were complete domination.
Frances Tiafoe’s road to the third round was difficult, and required utter grit and determination from the American to reach thus far. His first-round clash went to five sets against the in-form Italian star Matteo Arnaldi, in which he overturned a two-set deficit to a five-set win to face Borna Coric in the next round. The 29th seed’s second round was far less competitive as he dispatched the former Cincinnati champion in straight sets to face Alcaraz next.
This third-round battle promises high intensity, dynamic play, and a showcase of the biggest stars of tennis in the world. Their most recent clash took place back in 2022 in the US Open semi-finals and it did not disappoint. Some of the most entertaining tennis we have seen in the new era was forged between these two players on that day, and all we can hope for is the same or somehow better two seasons later at SW19.
Alcaraz, being the higher-ranked player with a recent Grand Slam win, is the favourite. However, Tiafoe’s powerful serve and aggressive playing style could trouble Alcaraz, especially on grass. Expect a competitive and possibly tightly contested match.
Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz in four sets.
Jasmine Paolini [7] v Bianca Andreescu | H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jasmine Paolini [7] v Bianca Andreescu | H2H: Paolini leads 1-0 |
| Wimbledon 2024 | Wimbledon, UK |
| Grass | Prize Money: £143,000 |
| First on Court No.1, play starts at 1:00pm BST | BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer |
The seventh seed Jasmine Paolini will face the 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in the third round at Wimbledon. Paolini is yet to drop a set in her 2024 Wimbledon journey so far, with two credible performances against Sara Sorribes Tormo and Greet Minnen. The Italian has surprised us all this year with her progression in the rankings, but whether she has what it takes to beat a former Grand Slam champion and go the whole way is the question.
Andreescu has also not dropped a set in her Wimbledon 2024 campaign. Her first round was composed of confidence in her game and a showcase of her experience on the Grand Slam stage, despite being just 24 years of age. Defeating the 26th seed Linda Noskova in the next round was a tough ask but was done in stylish fashion through a 6-3 7-6 victory.
Paolini’s recent form and tenacity make her a formidable opponent. Expect Andreescu to leverage her power and experience, but Paolini’s ability to extend rallies and capitalize on errors could create a competitive match.
Prediction: Paolini in three sets.
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Tommy Paul [12] v Alexander Bublik [23] | H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Tommy Paul [12] v Alexander Bublik [23] | H2H: Paul leads 3-1 |
| Wimbledon 2024 | Wimbledon, UK |
| Grass | Prize Money: £143,000 |
| First on Court No.2. Play starts at 11:00am BST | BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer |
12th seed Tommy Paul faces the 23rd seed Alexander Bublik in the third round at Wimbledon 2024. Paul has endured two strenuous matches in the first two rounds, needing nine sets to eventually make it through to his clash against Bublik. The American number one’s last matchup was against the Finnish qualifier, Otto Virtanen, in which the pair went back and forth until Paul closed the fifth and final set out 6-4 to move him onto the next round.
Bublik’s five setter came in the first round against the Czech rising star, Jakub Mensik. The Kazakh came back from two sets down to win 4-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-2 to then comfortably beating Arthur Cazaux in straight sets in the second round. Both Paul and Bublik have had major success on the grass court surface. The American won his first ATP 500 title at Queens in the lead up to Wimbledon this year, and the Kazakh was victorious in Halle in the lead up to the tournament last year.
Bublik’s explosive serve and unpredictable play give him an edge on grass, but Paul’s consistency and superior movement might counterbalance that advantage. With Paul’s impressive form on the tour so far this season, he might be seen as the favourite.
Prediction: Tommy Paul in five sets.
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