By Ben Phillips
Taylor Fritz continued his strong Wimbledon 2025 campaign with a composed 6-4, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1 win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, booking his place in the fourth round and showing clear signs that his game is peaking at the right time.
After a gruelling first week that included back-to-back five-set battles, the American No. 1 looked sharp and assertive on Court No.1, using his clean ball striking and increasingly reliable grass-court movement to dominate most of the exchanges. While he let the third set slip in a close tiebreak, Fritz quickly reset in the fourth, racing through it with clinical efficiency.
Speaking to QualityShot Tennis after the match, Fritz reflected on his form:
“From the baseline today, I think I played really good tennis. I thought he played pretty well, and I still felt like I could match him from the baseline.”
It was a telling statement from a player who is often seen as most dangerous on faster surfaces but hasn’t always had the consistency to go deep at slams. Now, into the second week, Fritz looks physically fit and mentally dialled in, an encouraging sign for American fans hoping for a long run.
With his booming serve, crisp groundstrokes, and growing confidence, Fritz has become a genuine contender to make a deep push. If he can maintain this level and recover well from his earlier five-setters, his route through the draw could open up nicely.
Alcaraz Battles Past Struff to Reach Wimbledon Fourth Round
Carlos Alcaraz continued his Wimbledon title defence with a gritty 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff on Centre Court. While the world No. 2 is still yet to hit top form this fortnight, he once again proved that champions find a way, even when not firing on all cylinders.
Alcaraz burst out of the blocks with a dominant opening set, but Struff, known for his aggressive style and powerful serve, responded brilliantly in the second, pressuring the Spaniard with flat groundstrokes and attacking returns. It was a reminder that on grass, momentum can shift fast.
Despite the challenge, Alcaraz settled back into rhythm in sets three and four. While his first-serve percentage remained a concern at just 58%, he did enough behind his second serve and used his foot speed and variety to edge key points when it mattered most.
Though it wasn’t a vintage performance, Alcaraz continues to grow into the tournament, and, crucially, stays alive in the draw. If he can clean up his serving numbers and tighten his baseline game, he’ll be a tough man to stop as the second week looms.
Sabalenka Overcomes Raducanu in High-Quality Centre Court Clash
In one of the most anticipated matches of the first week, Aryna Sabalenka edged past Emma Raducanu with a hard-fought 7-6(5), 6-4 win on Centre Court to book her place in the fourth round of Wimbledon 2025.
The contest lived up to its billing, with both players producing some stunning shot-making and high-intensity rallies. Raducanu looked sharp early, striking cleanly from the baseline and showing excellent variety. She even surged to a 4-1 lead in the second set, looking poised to force a decider.
But Sabalenka, as she noted earlier in the week, has developed a steely resilience to match her explosive power. The world No. 1 reeled off five consecutive games to close out the match, underlining how much her mental game has matured.
“My mental game has improved the most,” she told QualityShot Tennis earlier this week and once again, she proved it.
For Raducanu, it was a performance full of positives, pushing the top seed to the limit and showing she’s capable of competing with the very best. But for Sabalenka, this was another reminder of why she’s one of the favourites for the title: calm under pressure, ruthless when it matters.
Osaka Falls in Three-Set Battle to Pavlyuchenkova
Naomi Osaka’s Wimbledon journey came to an end on Day 5 as she was defeated 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 by the experienced Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a tight and emotional encounter. Osaka started strong, taking the opening set with confident hitting and improved movement, something she highlighted earlier in the week as a growing strength on grass.
But Pavlyuchenkova, a former Grand Slam finalist, used all her experience to turn the match around, stepping in on returns and extending rallies to test Osaka’s timing and resolve. In the end, it was the Russian who handled the pressure better in the big moments of sets two and three.
After the match, Osaka’s disappointment was clear. When Quality Shot Tennis asked her whether she could take any positives from the performance, she replied candidly:
“I’m just going to be a negative human being today,” she said.
It was a raw and honest response that highlighted just how much these matches mean to the players, and how tough it is to immediately process defeat on one of tennis’s biggest stages. Osaka’s return to form is still building, and while the loss stings, her movement, shot selection, and level at times this week suggest she’s not far off from being a serious contender once again.
Noskova Survives Test to Advance at Wimbledon
Linda Noskova, the 30th seed, booked her place in the next round at Wimbledon with a hard-fought 7-6, 7-5 win over Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova in a match that was every bit as close as the scoreline suggests.
The 19-year-old Czech was pushed all the way, particularly in a tense opening-set tiebreak and a gritty second set where both players battled for control. Noskova’s aggressive groundstrokes and consistency under pressure proved crucial, especially in key moments late in each set.
Speaking to QualityShot Tennis after the win, Noskova said:
“It was a tough match; she was fighting through each point.”
Acknowledging the intensity of her opponent’s challenge.
Despite the pressure, Noskova expressed confidence in her form and her comfort on grass, a surface many younger players take time to adjust to.
“I feel good, I feel like I’m playing on a hard court,” she added, a reflection of how well her game is adapting to the slick, low-bouncing surface.
If she continues to find rhythm like this, Noskova could prove to be one of the more dangerous lower seeds in the draw.
Rublev Breezes Through and Keeps Expectations Light
Andrey Rublev moved safely into the third round at Wimbledon with a convincing 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 victory over French veteran Adrian Mannarino. The 6th seed was composed throughout, striking the ball cleanly and dominating with his forehand against a tricky opponent known for his flat strokes and grass-court craft.
After the match, Rublev spoke to QualityShot Tennis and shared that he came into the tournament with no real expectations, saying:
“I didn’t know what we were going to do,”
a reference to his uncertainty about how far he might progress on the grass this year.
He added with a grin that:
“I was laughing with my team”
about the unpredictability of his form, highlighting a relaxed and grounded approach that’s seemingly helping him play freely.
So far, Rublev has looked sharp and focused, and if he continues this form with a carefree mindset, he could prove a real threat in the second week.
🔥 Top Matches to Watch on Day 6
Jannik Sinner vs Pedro Martinez
The world No. 1 looks to maintain his surge against a crafty clay-courter capable of extending rallies, can Sinner dictate the match and stick to his benchmark game?
Novak Djokovic vs Miomir Kecmanović
A Centre Court clash between the Serb maestro and the on-form Serbian youngster expect to feature smooth returning, precise ball-striking, and tactical depth.
Ben Shelton vs Marton Fucsovics
Shelton’s booming serve takes on Fucsovics’ grass-court versatility. If Shelton stays aggressive, he could herald a US breakthrough.
Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins
Swiatek finally tests her grass credentials. Collins will fight with intensity, but Swiatek’s adaptability might offer the decisive edge.
Mirra Andreeva vs Hailey Baptiste
Two fearless young Americans clash, power, speed, and fight on both sides. Expect aggressive rallies and thrilling slides across Court 2.
With top seeds and rising stars all in the mix, Day 6 promises high drama and tactical battles. For complete match breakdowns, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes insight from the All-England Club, stay tuned to QualityShot Tennis.
