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Three to see: Wimbledon Day 5

Niall Clarke
Tennis

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By Niall Clarke

  • Three to see for Wimbledon Day Five
  • Stan Wawrinka vs Juan MartinDel Potro
  • Dustin Brown vs Nick Kyrgios
  • Petra Kvitova vs Ekaterina Makarova

LONDON, ENGLAND- Grand slam champions Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin Del Potro will start proceedings on Centre Court in our pick of the matches on Day Five of Wimbledon.

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(4) Stan Wawrinka vs (PR) Juan Martin Del Potro- H2H: 3-2 Del Potro

Out of all the round two matches, this one stood out the most. It is a contest between two Grand Slam champions and two of the hardest hitters in the game, on Centre Court.

Both players would not name grass as their preferred surface, but they have made the last eight and final four of Wimbledon in the past respectively. They have met five times with Del Potro having the edge in the head to head, but they have not met since 2012 and we all know the improvements Wawrinka has made.

Del Potro’s struggle to hit a top spin backhand will hurt him in this match-up given how great the Swiss hits his one hander. The Argentine has developed a good slice however as a result, a shot which will likely take the ball out of Wawrinka’s hitting zone. If the serve and forehand are firing then this becomes a very interesting contest, but the wrist issues can not be ignored.

Prediction: Wawrinka in four sets

(15) Nick Kyrgios vs Dustin Brown- H2H: First meeting

Those lucky enough to have a ground pass on Friday will be treated to the show that is Kyrgios vs Brown on Court two. There will be great trick shots, there will be antics, and it will undoubtedly entertain.

Both players possess a wide range of tricks and skills that can wow a crowd, but they go about their tennis in different ways. Kyrgios is more baseline orientated whilst Brown loves to come to the net, who will be able to impose their will.

Kyrgios had some good practice against a serve and volley player when he faced Radek Stepanek in round one. The Aussie passed that test with only the one set dropped, but Brown is a different type of serve and volleyer. It will likely come down to who serves the better, and who can not get frustrated by their opponent’s antics.

Prediction: Brown in five sets

(10) Petra Kvitova vs Ekaterina Makarova- H2H: 4-3 Kvitova

Following the Kyrgios-Brown show will be a battle of two lefties on Court two. In the pick of the WTA matches on offer, two-time champion Kvitova faces Russia’s Makarova for a spot in round three.

Both players hit the ball hard and face the rare proposition of facing a fellow leftie. Makarova and Kvitova are both looking like shadows of their best and are looking to Wimbledon for a form and confidence booster.

Kvitova has the better credentials on grass and is rightfully the favourite, but Makarova has a victory over the Czech at Eastbourne so knows what she needs to do. As usual the match will come down to how Kvitova performs. If she is firing then there is no chance of an upset, if not then anything can happen.

Prediction: Kvitova in three sets

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