Wimbledon 2016 third round tips: Five across men’s and ladies’ Middle Sunday matches
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | July 2, 2016
Playing tennis on the Middle Sunday of Wimbledon is almost unheard of, but there’s been so much rain over SW19 this week that the grass Grand Slam tournament is behind schedule.
It is only the fourth time in history, and first occasion since 2004, that the traditional day of rest at the All England Club has been put to one side.
Coral’s tennis tipsters point punters in the right direction with some brilliant bets afforded by this extra opportunity…
2016 Wimbledon men’s singles
- Third round
- Sunday, July 3rd
- Scheduled on court: 11:30 BST
- All England Club, Wimbledon, southwest London
- Live across the BBC
No more Novak
Disruptions have done for ATP world number one and defending men’s singles champion Novak Djokovic, who lost in four sets to 28th seed Sam Querrey of the USA.
Serbian sensation Djokovic is joined by fellow top 10 players Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka in failing to make the second week of Wimbledon. Such shock early exits leave the draw wide open.
Andy Murray is now Coral’s 11/10 favourite to lift a second Wimbledon crown, with ageing all-time great Roger Federer at 3/1, dangerous Canadian representative Milos Raonic next at 7/1 and 12/1 bar those.
Zverev Jr and Berdych battle goes the distance
German-born teenager Alexander Zverev Jr has burst onto the scene, recently making two ATP Tour event finals. He battles 10th seed Tomas Berdych, who has won all three of their previous meetings.
Although the Czech player is a so-nearly man, losing the 2010 Wimbledon final and in the semis of the other Grand Slams throughout his career, Berdych will be wary of the exuberant youth he meets in the last 32 this year.
The form of a Davis Cup singles rubber between these two reads good but, taking Zverev Jr’s more recent exploits into account, there is a lot to like about the nifty 9/4 price for his latest clash with Berdych to go over 4.5 sets.
Vesely to show tiebreak prowess v Sousa
On to another Czech Republic player now, and Jiri Vesely who shocked Dominic Thiem with a hat-trick of tiebreak victories that eliminated the Austrian dark horse.
Now paired with Portugal’s Joao Sousa, Vesely is a well worth a wager at respective 9/2 prices to win the first and/or second sets 7-6.
2016 Wimbledon ladies’ singles
- Third round
- Sunday, July 3rd
- Scheduled on court: 11:30 BST
- All England Club, Wimbledon, southwest London
- Live across the BBC
Stephens and Kuznetsova clash goes all the way
Just five places in the women’s seedings separate Sloane Stephens of the USA from Russian opponent Svetlana Kuznetsova, leaving their last 32 meeting one of the most unpredictable matches to call.
There’s some value in taking the 6/5 on offer for their match to go over 2.5 sets, not least because two of the three completed head-to-heads between Stephens and Kuznetsova have gone the distance.
Pavlyuchenkova to beat Bacsinszky
Another close clash on WTA world rankings and Wimbledon women’s singles seedings is the battle between Timeas Bacsinszky of Switzerland and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Rated 10 places apart coming into this tennis Major, Russian talent Pavlyuchenkova has a win over Bacsinszky this season right at the start of campaign in Brisbane.
If that form looks good to you, then back Pavlyuchenkova to beat Bacsinszky at a tasty 2/1. Double that price is also available on a repeat straight sets win.
Makarova to send Strycova home in three
Ekaterina Makarova is also flying the flag for Russia and took the scalp of two-time Wimbledon ladies’ champion Petra Kvitova last time out, and she now faces another Czech player in Barborva Strycova.
They’ve met twice at previous Wimbledon Championships before, with one win apiece, but the draw has opened up nicely for Makarova to potentially match her best-ever grass Grand Slam showing when reaching the quarter-finals from two years ago.
Awesome odds of 11/4 say Makarova can replicate her 2-1 2009 victory over Strycova, who has already been taken to three sets in this tournament.
Related
You’ll find comprehensive coverage of both the Wimbledon men’s and ladies’ singles throughout the championships on the Coral tennis page.
