By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday July 3, 2023
Day 3 brings the big stars - and hopefully a return of the sun - to Wimbledon.
Photo Source: Getty
Day 3 marks the return of Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek (on Centre Court) for their second-round matches, while many players will be making their first appearance, thanks to an inordinate amount of rain over the first two days of Wimbledon.
Here’s a look at what we’ll be watching…
Here’s the Day 3 Order of Play
Playing catch up
Many players have yet to start their first-round matches, and it’s already Wednesday. That’s not great news, but if things go as planned, and the weather holds (no rain in the forecast) we should be back on track by the end of the day.
Among the players that will be racing to catch up will be Daniil Medvedev, who aces British wild card Arthur Fery, and Frances Tiafoe, who faces Wu Yibing, first up on Court 3. Take extra time to work through Wednesday’s order of play and remain calm. FOMO can be tough during week one of Slams, and particularly when the schedule is jam-packed like this.
Come to Court 8 for a FIRE matchup
Alexander Bublik, fresh off the Halle title, is playing the best grass-court tennis of his career. JJ Wolf, always a danger, is making his Wimbledon debut. The pair will square off in a “people’s choice” battle on intimate Court No.8. Pack a lunch and check it out.
Iga on Centre
Her Day 1 performance on No.1 Court was breathtaking. Just four games dropped for World No.1 Iga Swiatek against Lin Zhu of China. On Wednesday the challenge will be a little stiffer, as she faces veteran Sara Sorribes Tormo on Centre Court.
Swiatek is riding high on confidence at the moment and that’s a good sign for her chances, especially compared to last year, when she came in with zero matches under her belt and was knocked out in the third round.
“I think this year, it's going to be a little bit easier for me to use my intuition a little bit more,” Swiatek said of her comfort zone after her round one win.
What form is Matteo Berrettini in?
Matteo Berrettini lost the first set to Lorenzo Sonego on Tuesday before rain suspended the match. The two dynamic Italians will be back on Court 12 tomorrow (third match up).
Those who listened to our Wimbledon preview podcast know that we’re not very high on 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini’s chances this year at Wimbledon. Talent isn’t the problem, injuries are. But maybe the Italian can surprise us. When he’s on his game he’s one of the five best grass court players in tennis. But how will his body hold up? He faces Lorenzo Sonego on Court 12 on Tuesday.
Match of the Day
We said it yesterday. Since it was rained out, we’ll say it again…
We’re dying to see Karolina Muchova on a tennis court again, and we’ll have that pleasure tomorrow as the Czech takes on a formidable grass-courter in Germany’s Jule Niemeier on Court 18.
Sabalenka will need to reach the final to have a chance of overtaking Swiatek at No.1. If Swiatek advances to the QF, then Sabalenka would need to win the title. This is a battle of two former quarterfinalists on one of the best showcourts at the All England Club. Don’t miss it.
Stat of the Day
Novak Djokovic puts his 40-match Centre Court winning streak on the line on Wednesday, against Jordan Thompson of Australia. The seven-time Wimbledon champion has won 29 consecutive Wimbledon matches. Anyway you slice it, it’s hard not to be in awe of Djokovic’s numbers at Wimbledon.
Djokovic is also bidding to join Roger Federer (369) and Serena Williams (365) as one of three players to have logged 350 match wins at the Grand Slams. The Serbian legend enters at 349 and 47.
You probably don’t want to miss
Note: Ben Shelton is up a set and a break on Taro Daniel, and the pair will square off third up on Court 14.
Shelton is making his Wimbledon debut in 2023. If you’re scoring at home, Daniel has never won a match at Wimbledon (0-4).