Wimbledon 2016 third round tips: Five across men’s and ladies’ Middle Sunday matches

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.