Jordan Thompson vs Luciano Darderi

🎾 Wimbledon 2025 – 3rd Round Preview

Jordan Thompson vs Luciano Darderi

🧠 Form & Context

Jordan Thompson
🩹 Surviving through the pain: Injury concerns have haunted Thompson all season—he retired at Queen’s, walked over in Rome, and had a retirement in Brisbane.
💪 Five-set warrior: Despite the lack of fitness, he’s won back-to-back five-setters here, including comebacks from two sets down (vs Kopriva) and from 1–2 down (vs Bonzi).
🌱 Grass pedigree: Career 70–49 on grass and a consistent performer on this surface with a semifinal run in s'Hertogenbosch and 3R at Wimbledon 2021.
🔁 Third-round trend: This is his fifth R3 at a Slam; he’s alternated wins and losses in the previous four—most recently beating Arnaldi at the 2023 US Open.
🇦🇺 Resilient Aussie: Plays with grit and heart, but the body may not hold for another best-of-five.

Luciano Darderi
🌿 Out of his element—or is he?: The clay specialist had just two tour-level grass wins before Wimbledon but has doubled that tally this week alone.
🎯 Quiet efficiency: Beat Safiullin in five and dismantled wildcard Fery in straights. Looks sharper than expected on the surface.
📉 Grass still raw: Lost to Jarry, Tsitsipas, and Giron on grass in June. Grass W/L in 2025 stands at 3–4.
🧱 Overcoming ceilings: This is his first third-round showing at any Slam; previously never won more than one main-draw match at a major.
🧮 Career revival: A strong clay swing (title in Marrakech, QFs in Munich and Hamburg) and now a Wimbledon run have him inching back toward the top 50.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This matchup is a test of Thompson’s physical endurance against Darderi’s learning curve on grass. The Australian is more naturally suited to the surface and has the tools—slice, serve, volley instincts—to dictate on fast courts. But after two brutal five-set battles, his fitness and recovery are major red flags. Darderi doesn’t have Thompson’s grass pedigree but has looked more composed than expected. His heavy topspin game can neutralize flat hitters and drag out rallies. If he keeps Thompson on the move and targets the backhand corner, he’ll wear down the Aussie’s legs. Expect Thompson to start sharper, looking to end points early and avoid prolonged physical exertion. But the longer this goes, the more it swings in Darderi’s favor.

🔮 Prediction

Thompson has the game for grass, but not the legs for another long fight. Darderi has shown poise and conditioning, and if he handles the occasion, he should edge ahead as the match wears on. Prediction: Luciano Darderi in 4 sets.