2024 Wimbledon Day Five Schedule and Preview - Friday 5 July including Alcaraz-Tiafoe, Raducanu-Sakkari, Sinner and Andreescu-Paolini

The schedule has been confirmed ahead of Friday 5 July at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships which sees the third round begin at SW19 including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Emma Raducanu among others in action.

Our preview looks ahead to the action with the leading talking points from all of the main matches from the Show Courts down to Court 18. As the first week heads into its twilight, the first players into the fourth round will be set.

We are at the point of the tournament in this year's Wimbledon where it is only big names and stacked line-ups and that can be said for the Centre Court schedule with the World No.1, defending champion and home hero all in action.

The defending champion is first up on Centre Court as Carlos Alcaraz faces off against Frances Tiafoe. It is currently 1-1 between the pair in Head to Head with Tiafoe winning their first meeting back in 2021 in Barcelona.

But the big one came back in 2022 when on his way to US Open glory, he defeated Tiafoe in the semi-finals in a tournament that Tiafoe has basically lived off since too. But despite his comments about players being clowns, it is more of a friendly rivalry between the pair as opposed to Alcaraz wanting to smash him off the court despite tongue-in-cheek comments.

“I’m going for him!” said Alcaraz. “I know that he’s a really talented player, a really tough one and maybe even tougher here on grass with his style.”

"Frances, a great player, a great person as well. He always smiles. He always seems like he's enjoying his time on the court, off the court as well. It's pretty impressive. Try to put a show every time he steps on the court, as well," quipped the Spaniard.

“Everybody loves him in the United States. Is kind of different feeling.” said Alcaraz back at the US Open.

“It was a great match. I think we played really great points. I think that the crowd enjoyed that match. I'm pretty sure that the people are going to enjoy this match, as well.”

Following that is Emma Raducanu who faces off against Maria Sakkari. Also a familiar US Open match-up as the unheralded Brit at the time saw off the Greek en route to the title. A tournament that Sakkari will regret to this day as likely her biggest chance to win a Grand Slam.

She served a stark reminder going into the match that despite all the fan fare about Raducanu, she is the top 10 player in this match and will aim to prove why she is. Is she rattled or is it a warning that will be used as fire for Sakkari or Raducanu? Time will tell but it will certainly be a fiery match between the pair especially if dictated at Sakkari's pace. Jannik Sinner v Miomir Kecmanovic finishes off the Centre Court slate in the latest test for the World No.1.

While the Court No.1 slate is also full of top ties with likely the best of the day being from the first two. The ever popular Bianca Andreescu who continues to try and reach her previous heights will face a rematch of her Roland Garros return tie against Jasmine Paolini.

Albeit Paolini has become a dual threat. She reached the final at Eastbourne and as a top 10 star now, she has moulded to the task well and become an elite player. But Andreescu certainly has it in her locker to find a way through. Also unlike Roland Garros, if it rains she has a roof as they were made to play on in the rain back then.

Gael Monfils faced off against Stan Wawrinka in the last tie and it is another war of the veterans and bound to be an entertaining affair as the former will now face Grigor Dimitrov. The latter has found a new lease of life and is playing superb. So certainly one to watch. While Sonay Kartal will hope to cause an upset when she faces Coco Gauff. But the American is very much used to going about her business.

Other ties include Tommy Paul v Alexander Bublik, Jan-Lennard Struff v Daniil Medvedev, Daria Kasatkina v Paula Badosa and also Denis Shapovalov v Ben Shelton. Madison Keys and Diana Shnaider faces Emma Navarro also are on the outer courts.

1. Gentlemen's Singles - Third Round

Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [3] v Frances Tiafoe (USA) [29]

2. Ladies' Singles - Third Round

Emma Raducanu (GBR) v Maria Sakkari (GRE) [9]

3. Gentlemen's Singles - Third Round

Jannik Sinner (ITA) [1] v Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB)

1. Ladies' Singles - Third Round

Jasmine Paolini (ITA) [7] v Bianca Andreescu (CAN)

2. Gentlemen's Singles - Third Round

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [10] v Gael Monfils (FRA)

3. Ladies' Singles - Third Round

Sonay Kartal (GBR) v Coco Gauff (USA) [2]

1. Gentlemen's Singles - Third Round

Tommy Paul (USA) [12] v Alexander Bublik (KAZ) [23]

2. Gentlemen's Singles - Third Round

Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) v Daniil Medvedev [5]

1. Ladies' Singles - Third Round

Daria Kasatkina [14] v Paula Badosa (ESP)

2. Gentlemen's Singles - Third Round

Denis Shapovalov (CAN) v Ben Shelton (USA) [14]

1. Gentlemen's Singles - Third Round

Brandon Nakashima (USA) v Ugo Humbert (FRA) [16]

2. Ladies' Singles - Third Round

Marta Kostyuk (UKR) [18] v Madison Keys (USA) [12]

1. Ladies' Singles - Third Round

Diana Shnaider v Emma Navarro (USA) [19]

2. Ladies' Singles - Third Round

Dayana Yastremska (UKR) [28] v Donna Vekic (CRO)

1. Ladies' Singles - Third Round

Lulu Sun (NZL) v Lin Zhu (CHN)

1. Gentlemen's Singles - Third Round

Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) v Fabio Fognini (ITA)

The Committee, while adhering as closely as possible to the order of pl