Wimbledon Day 5 live: Jordan Thompson, Carlos Alcaraz, latest match results

Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz was anything but convincing in his third round match, but eventually conjured enough moments of magic to book his place in the last 16.

Carlos Alcaraz survived another erratic performance on Friday, battling to a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff to stay on track for a third straight Wimbledon crown.

Alcaraz made 28 unforced errors in an inconsistent display on Centre Court but conjured enough moments of magic to eventually subdue the world number 125 and book his place in the last 16.

The world number two had been pushed to the brink in a five-set win over 38-year-old Italian Fabio Fognini in the first round and looked below his best again in a second-round victory over British amateur Oliver Tarvet.

After grinding out his latest underwhelming win, the Spaniard has plenty of room for improvement.

In contrast to Alcaraz’s laboured efforts, world number one Jannik Sinner -- his main rival at the All England Club -- has dropped just 12 games in his first two matches.

Carlos Alcaraz hugs Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff at the end of their third round match HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP

It is hardly time for Alcaraz to panic, however.

He has won his past 21 matches since losing to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final in April, a streak that has brought him titles at the Rome Masters, the French Open and Queen’s Club.

The 22-year-old, who fought back from two sets down to beat Sinner on clay in an epic final at Roland Garros last month, has won 32 of his 35 Tour-level matches on grass.

The five-time Grand Slam winner’s last defeat at Wimbledon came against Sinner in the fourth round in 2022.

Having vanquished Novak Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals, Alcaraz is looking to join an elite group of Wimbledon icons.

He hopes to become the fifth man in the Open Era to win at least three consecutive Wimbledon titles after Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and seven-time champion Djokovic.

Osaka blows chance to end fourth-round hoodoo

Naomi Osaka blew a golden opportunity to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time as the Japanese star was beaten by Russian world number 50 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Friday.

Osaka was in a strong position after taking the first set on Court Two, but her bid to finally make the last 16 imploded as Pavlyuchenkova battled back to clinch a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.

The 27-year-old is a four-time Grand Slam champion, but she has not won a major since 2021.

Osaka’s four previous appearances at Wimbledon ended in two third-round defeats and losses in the first and second round.

Once again she fell short at the grass-court Grand Slam.

Since her triumph at the Australian Open four years ago, she is on a dismal run of 12 successive Grand Slam appearances without reaching the fourth round.

Osaka, 27, gave birth to a daughter in July 2023, returning from a 15-month sabbatical for the start of the 2024 season.

Naomi Osaka was unable to break through with a fourth-round appearance.

The former world number one, now down to 53rd in the WTA rankings, has always struggled on grass.

Earlier this week, Osaka admitted she had feared playing on the surface for much of her career.

“I don’t know, with age fear kind of crept along and, I guess, paralysed me in a way,” she said.

“Now I’m kind of just getting over that and trying to spread my wings on grass.” Osaka’s wings were clipped by Pavlyuchenkova in a rollercoaster clash. The Japanese star quickly raced into a 4-1 lead and clinched the first set with an ace.

Pavlyuchenkova levelled the match with a blistering forehand on set point in the second set.

Osaka left the court to compose herself before the final set, but she was broken in the second game and fell 3-0 down.

Faced with elimination, Osaka battled back, winning three consecutive games, only to crumble as Pavlyuchenkova pounced when the pressure mounted.

“I felt like I was behind for the majority of the match, so I played point-by-point. I’m incredibly happy because I was mentally tough in the three matches that I have won,” said the Russian.

“I’m usually not so good on grass. The majority of you were cheering for Naomi today but it’s OK. As I said, I’m mentally tough.”

Alcaraz works on service conundrum

Carlos Alcaraz knows he must finetune his serve to keep his Wimbledon title defence on course.

The Spaniard has been unimpressed by his serve during wins over Fabio Fognini and Oliver Tarvet in the first and second round, respectively.

After winning Wimbledon for the last two years, as well as taking the title in the warm-up event at Queen’s Club in June, second seed Alcaraz knows better than most that a deadly delivery is the secret to success on grass.

Second seed Carlos Alcaraz.

“I think here in Wimbledon, I’m struggling a little bit with the serve. I’m feeling really different between Queen’s and here with the balls, with the speed,” the five-time Grand Slam champion said ahead of a Centre Court clash with German world number 125 Struff.

“On grass the serve is probably the most important shot. At Queen’s I started to serve unbelievable. But after the first round here, I left the court not happy at all with the serve.

“I’m going to pay much attention on the serve. Let’s see if in the third round I’ll be better.”

Raducanu ready to rock Sabalenka

Raducanu believes she can add to the growing list of Wimbledon upsets in her Centre Court blockbuster showdown with top seed Sabalenka.

The British star produced one of her best performances at the All England Club to defeat former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round on Wednesday.

Now Raducanu, who won the US Open as a teenager in 2021, is gearing up for her first Grand Slam meeting with a world number one.

Emma Raducanu is eyeing a Wimbledon boilover.

Although she is yet to hit top form at SW19 this year, Belarusian star Sabalenka is the only top-five seed still standing with Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen all out.

Three-time major winner Sabalenka is chasing a maiden Wimbledon title, having missed last year’s Championships because of a shoulder injury.

Raducanu has endured a difficult time since her stunning breakthrough triumph in New York four years ago, but after back problems plagued her at the start of 2025, the world number 40 is back in the groove.

“I think having won against Marketa, she’s also a really top opponent, so that gives me confidence. I feel amazing,” the 22-year-old said.

“Of course, Aryna is number one in the world, she’s been so dominant in the women’s game. I know it’s going to be a massive challenge.”