Karen Khachanov vs Nuno Borges

🎾 Wimbledon 2025 – 3rd Round Preview

Karen Khachanov vs Nuno Borges

🧠 Form & Context

Karen Khachanov
🧱 Battle-tested: Back-to-back 5-setters at Roland-Garros and another five-set grind in R2 here vs Shintaro Mochizuki—Khachanov has been through the trenches this Slam season.
📉 Not flashy, but steady: A 22–15 record this season built mostly on consistency and discipline, though his top level has only surfaced in patches.
🎯 Opportunity knocking: With Berrettini and Cerúndolo gone, the Russian now finds himself the highest-ranked player left in this section of the draw.
📍 Wimbledon record: Former quarterfinalist (2021) with multiple second-week appearances—knows how to navigate the grass.
🚧 Slam ceiling: Two straight R3 exits this year (AO, RG); yet to push deep in a Slam in 2025.

Nuno Borges
🎢 Surging quietly: Grass has historically been his weakest surface, but the Portuguese has won back-to-back matches here for the first time in his career.
🔓 Breakthrough alert: Beat Cerúndolo and Harris to get here—neither win a fluke, and he’s shown adaptability in match situations.
🏆 Slam form: 3R at AO (l. Alcaraz), 3R at RG (l. Popyrin), now 3R at Wimbledon. Can he take the next step?
📈 Big-match gamer: Has a 2–1 win-loss record vs top-20 players in Grand Slams this year, showing he can rise to the occasion.
📉 Grass pedigree: Still just 5–3 on grass this season—this surface remains his least comfortable.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a matchup of experience vs emergence. Khachanov has played more matches on this surface and is comfortable using his flat, heavy groundstrokes to control rallies on grass. While he’s been pushed to five sets too often lately, he’s passed every physical and mental test so far. Borges, meanwhile, is learning fast and improving with every round. His court sense, serve placement, and backhand stability have impressed, but he’ll face a different level of sustained pressure here. Khachanov will look to take time away from Borges by dominating baseline exchanges with pace and weight. The key for Borges will be managing Khachanov’s depth and serving efficiently, especially on second serves. For Khachanov, shortening points and avoiding fatigue will be critical—he can’t afford another draining five-setter if he wants to progress deep in the draw.

🔮 Prediction

Borges has proven he can hang with top players, and may very well snag a set with his variety and calm demeanor. But over the course of four or five sets, Khachanov’s edge in firepower, experience, and composure should see him through—again. Prediction: Karen Khachanov in 4 sets.