Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe will face off for the third time on Friday afternoon, kicking off Centre Court on Day 5 of the tournament. The defending champion won their last meeting back in 2022, but needed over four hours to come through in five setter against the American.
Tiafoe moved to 15-15 on the year after his second round win against Borna Coric, where he always looked in control against the Croatian. He will have been delighted to get some wins on the board after a poor season to date, with the American very honest about his current form. “It’s brutal. Highs and lows. Think about where I’m at. Literally this week last year I was 10 in the world and now I’m barely seeded here (at Wimbledon),” he said after his first round win. “Losing to clowns, I hate to say it but I’m just gonna be honest.
Alcaraz made it two straight sets wins from two this tournament, this time beating Alexander Vukic. It should have been even more routine than the 7-6 6-2 6-2 scoreline suggests with the Spaniard also leading 5-2 in the opening set. Once the first set was won, he never let up and eased through in the end. “I think the first set was the key. He served for the set and I broke and after I played a really good tie-break. I played a really high level in the second and third sets, so I am really happy about it.” he said.
Tiafoe often raises his level on the bigger stages so he will should at least turn up in this matchup against the defending champion. His ability to maintain it through up to five physical sets may be the issue here with the American unlikely to go lights out the whole match. Alcaraz also still has enough to be the aggressor here and will look to go after what is a dangerous but inconsistent serve.
Prediction – Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets
