Men's Wimbledon outright predictions: Draper could be biggest threat to Alcaraz
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- Carlos Alcaraz in bidding to make it a hat-trick at Wimbledon after victories in 2023 and 2024
- Jack Draper beat Alcaraz on his way to winning his first Masters Series title in Indian Wells
- Recommended bets:
- Jack Draper to win & each-way
- Carlos Alcaraz to win
The third Grand Slam tournament of the tennis year sees the men’s top two, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, renew their rivalry in their exciting chase for major titles.
Defending champion and second seed Alcaraz has been popular with bettors since avoiding many of the big guns in the bottom half of the draw.
World number one Sinner shares the top half of the draw with fourth seed Jack Draper and sixth seed Novak Djokovic, as well as talented duo Ben Shelton and Lorenzo Musetti, so it is no surprise to see almost all the luminaries shunned apart from Alcaraz.
Lopsided draw may not prevent top Briton impressing
Three-time Grand Slam singles champion Sinner has been dealt a blow to his chances of thwarting great rival Alcaraz and the top seed is likely to have to work much harder to come through the top half of this year's draw.
After an opener against fellow Italian Luca Nardi, who is no mean player himself, Sinner could face Aleksandar Vukic, Denis Shapovalov, Tommy Paul and Shelton before a possible semi-final clash with Djokovic or Draper.
The reigning Australian Open and US Open champion looks as if he will have to be on the ball from the outset, so it is unlikely to be a restful fortnight for the man from the Dolomites.
Despite his advanced age, seven-time Wimbledon hero Djokovic has been showing encouraging signs in recent Slam outings and may not be easy to sweep aside, while it is surely only a matter of time before Indian Wells Masters champion Draper becomes a big runner in his home major.
Two-time grass king difficult to oppose
But while it may be up in the air in the top half of the bracket, that may not be the case in the opposite half. Alcaraz was some way below his best in the London Slam last season but still ended up prevailing.
So while players such as Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, Daniil Medvedev and Frances Tiafoe could theoretically serve up a challenge to the brilliant French Open champion, none of them is expected to do so over the best of five sets.
Prediction
Alcaraz can definitely be backed given his decent-looking draw for Wimbledon this year, with fewer obvious threats to get the better of, and he is at the very least expected to reach another All England Club final.
Outright customers should also consider having an each-way interest on British number one Draper.
Somewhat surprisingly, the jury is still out with many observers regarding the Surrey native’s ability, but Draper possesses many of the attributes that make a successful player.
And given that he is making huge strides with experience, it is very difficult to see what is not to like about his game.
