Iga Swiatek and Ben Shelton will be among the notable players competing on Day 6 of Wimbledon 2025, each confronting demanding opponents in the third round. Their upcoming matches have drawn attention as potential upset alerts, emphasizing the difficulty of progressing deeper into the tournament.
As seeded players vie for places in the tournament’s second week, Saturday’s slate of third-round clashes promises intense competition. Five contenders stand out as particularly vulnerable to surprises as they seek to advance further in the grass-court Grand Slam.
Iga Swiatek’s Challenge Against Aggressive Opponents on Grass
It is well-known that Iga Swiatek struggles against players who rely on powerful, aggressive playstyles, especially those who hit big balls consistently. This is exemplified by her 0-6 record against Jelena Ostapenko. However, Swiatek’s upcoming opponent, Danielle Collins, has a less intimidating head-to-head record against her, with Swiatek leading 7-2.
Collins’ game, marked by big swings and energetic baseline aggression, suits grass courts well, giving her a strong chance to dictate points. Although Swiatek faced difficulties in earlier rounds, her opponents did not match Collins’ level of power. Collins has blasted through her matches thus far, entering the third round with significant momentum.
Swiatek must also address a tendency to concede break points, a vulnerability seen in her match against Caty McNally. Against Collins, a player unlikely to ease up on pressure, Swiatek will need to strengthen her defense and serve consistency to avoid an upset.
Belinda Bencic Faces Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s Growing Grass-Court Adaptation
Belinda Bencic has shown moments of brilliance on grass, with her flat strokes skimming the surface, leaving opponents scrambling. Yet, her third-round opponent Elisabetta Cocciaretto appears to be mastering the grass-court game despite a naturally topspin-heavy approach.
Cocciaretto compensates for the lack of pace by positioning herself aggressively, stepping inside the baseline to take the ball early and maintaining a low stance to neutralize power hitting. Her firsthand experience against strong baseline players like Bencic came through in her first-round win over Jessica Pegula, whose style closely mirrors Bencic’s.
Both athletes have delivered solid service games, with Bencic dropping serve three times and Cocciaretto just once across their matches. The contest promises to hinge on whether Bencic can overcome Cocciaretto’s increasing grass-court confidence or if the Italian will pull off another upset.
Ben Shelton’s Powerful Serve Will Be Crucial in His Clash With Marton Fucsovics
Ben Shelton’s success at Wimbledon so far can largely be attributed to his formidable serve, having already fired 26 aces this tournament. His third-round opponent, Marton Fucsovics, presents a serious test with his resilience and fitness on grass.
Fucsovics entered Wimbledon as a lucky loser after narrowly missing qualification but has made the most of his chance by winning two consecutive five-set matches. These victories have propelled him close to matching his best Wimbledon performance—a quarterfinal appearance in 2021.
Shelton’s strategy must include patience, avoiding rash shot-making, as Fucsovics is known for unsettling opponents through mental and physical endurance. The Hungarian’s ability to disrupt rhythm and extend rallies will require Shelton to use his power selectively while managing the long points effectively.
Brandon Nakashima and Lorenzo Sonego’s Battle for a Career Milestone
Brandon Nakashima stands on the brink of a Wimbledon career-best by reaching the fourth round, yet he faces the crafty Lorenzo Sonego, who himself has past success at Wimbledon and is enjoying a strong Grand Slam season.
Sonego’s 6-2 win-loss record this year includes a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open, demonstrating his improved performance. He showed consistent serving and tactical prowess in recent victories, including a significant win against Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Nakashima brings power to the court, but Sonego’s varied shot selection, including drop shots and spins, can complicate play on grass and disrupt usually powerful servers. Their encounter could turn on how well each player adjusts to the nuances of grass-court tennis and exploits the other’s weaknesses.
Defending Champion Barbora Krejcikova Faces a Tough Test Against Maria Navarro
While it might seem odd to consider a defending champion as a potential upset candidate, Barbora Krejcikova’s return to Wimbledon form has been mixed after an injury-hit season. Nevertheless, she has shown grit with two three-set victories on grass so far.
Krejcikova’s third-round opponent, Maria Navarro, is in excellent shape herself. The American was a quarterfinalist last year and has already defeated a former champion, Petra Kvitova, in this tournament. Navarro has lost only seven games across her matches, underscoring her solid form.
Krejcikova’s resilience may unsettle Navarro, who often capitalizes on opponents’ frustration to win points. Unlike Kvitova and Navarro’s other recent opponent Veronika Kudermetova, Krejcikova is unlikely to provide pace for Navarro to use, forcing the American to generate speed herself, potentially disrupting her rhythm.
Why These Matches Could Define Wimbledon’s Middle Weekend
The third round at Wimbledon often sets the tone for the rest of the tournament, and Day 6 features a concentration of precarious positions for high-profile players like Iga Swiatek and Ben Shelton. Each match offers a chance for established stars to consolidate their momentum or for underdogs to capitalize on cracks in their opponents’ games.
Players who adapt quickly to grass and blend power with patience have the best odds of advancing. The outcomes on this day will have implications for how the second week unfolds, as early surprises can reshape the tournament landscape.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Shelton can maintain his service dominance and if Swiatek can solve her struggles against aggressive hitters. With resilience tested and fresh challenges ahead, Day 6 promises high drama and potentially season-defining results.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ben Shelton sponsored by Rolex?
A. In 2024, Ben Shelton was chosen to be a Rolex Testimonee.