Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz eyes up week two at Wimbledon as he faces Frances Tiafoe on Friday. A resurgent Brandon Nakashima will do battle against Ugo Humbert in a low-key potential third-round barnburner.
(3) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (29) Frances Tiafoe
At a different time, a third-round match between Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe would be a legitimate blockbuster–the sort of match we used to see when there were only 16 seeded players and early-round clashes were frequent. Unfortunately for the fans, in 2024 there is little doubt that Alcaraz is the prohibitive favorite. Tiafoe has struggled mightily with his form since he made his way to the final of the 250 clay-court event in Houston this spring.
The 26-year-old American came into London with a losing record (13-14) and he only just made it out of the first round against grass newbie Matteo Arnaldi. Conversely, Alcaraz added a third major to his trophy case a month ago at the French Open. The Spaniard is also the defending champion at Wimbledon, proof that his is the sort of game that translates to any surface.
Cheryl pick: Alcaraz in 3
Ricky pick: Alcaraz in 3
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(16) Ugo Humbert vs. Brandon Nakashima
If you happen to find yourself at the All-England Club on Friday, or even if you are watching from home, you would do well to put this “sleeper” match on your view list. American Brandon Nakashima has had himself a bit of a grass-court renaissance over the past few weeks, including a semifinal showing at the Surbiton Challenger and the semis in Stuttgart. Perhaps more importantly, he has been playing well this week, as well–with a pair of straight-set wins over Sebastian Baez and Jordan Thompson.
Ugo Humbert had slightly less success on the lawns in this abbreviated season, but he still had a semifinal showing in s’Hertogenbosch. The French lefty had to work hard against the talented Alexander Shevchenko in the first round, but he made relatively quick work of Botic van de Zandschulp in the second. Both men’s games have strengths that play well on grass, and they have never gone head-to-head before, so any matchup concerns are as yet unrealized.
Humbert has more big-match experience, but Nakashima is actually playing better grass-court tennis right now. I can’t help but think the longer the match goes on, the better chance Humbert has. If Nakashima is going to snag the upset, it’s likely to come in three or four.
Cheryl pick: Humbert in 5
Ricky pick: Nakashima in 4
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WWW?
Carlos in a heck of a scrap with Frances, who leads 2-1. Frances likes the big stage and is playing lights out.
Suddenly Carlos decided he wanted to win after all. He played an amazing 4th set tie break and then a bamboozling 5th set