Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz VS Jan-Lennard Struff 2025-07-04
Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jan-Lennard Struff: A Tale of Two Titans (One of Them Is a Relic)
Wimbledon 2025, Third Round â July 4, 2025
The Setup
Carlos Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spaniard whoâs already won Wimbledon twice (or is it three? Time is a flat pancake, per McEnroe), faces Jan-Lennard Struff, the 32-year-old German âveteranâ whoâs somehow still here after a season where heâs won five ATP matches. Struffâs recent upset over FĂ©lix Auger-Aliassime was so shocking, even his own coach texted him: âAre you sure youâre not a robot?â
The Stats
- Alcaraz: 31-3 on grass, 15-match winning streak on the surface, 3-0 H2H vs. Struff (including a 2024 Madrid Open win).
- Struff: 12-10 on grass, 1-3 H2H vs. Alcaraz (but did beat him at Roland Garros 2021).
- Recent Form: Alcaraz survived a five-set thriller against Fabio Fognini; Struffâs win over Auger-Aliassime was a four-set thriller that required a 11-9 tiebreak.
The Odds
- Alcaraz: 1.02â1.04 (implied probability: ~96.15â97.14%)
- Struff: 13.0â15.0 (implied probability: ~6.67â7.55%)
The Math
- Underdog Win Rate (Tennis): 30%
- Struffâs Adjusted Probability: Split the difference between implied (6.67%) and underdog rate (30%) â ~18.33%
- Expected Value (EV) for Struff:
- EV = (Win Probability Ă Payout) â (Loss Probability Ă Stake)
- Using 15.0 odds (Struffâs best line):
- EV = (18.33% Ă 14) â (81.67% Ă 1) â +1.75 (Positive EV!)
The Verdict
While Alcaraz is a near-certainty to win (his grass-court dominance is like a lawn sprinkler on a dry field), Struff offers the best value for risk-takers. The 30% underdog rate for tennis suggests Struffâs 6.67% implied probability is a steal. Even with a 18.33% adjusted chance, the EV is +1.75, making him the smart play for those who crave both profit and a plot twist.
Injuries/Key Updates
- No major injuries reported.
- Alcarazâs path to the final is âmore peaceful than expectedâ (thanks to Zverevâs early exit).
- Struffâs motivation is sky-high: âFor me, every win is absolutely important right now.â Translation: Heâs desperate.
Final Call
Best Bet: Jan-Lennard Struff (+15.0)
Why? Because even a 6.67% shot feels like 100% when youâre a 32-year-old German with a 42nd ATP ranking and a career thatâs trending toward âviral meme.â Alcaraz will likely win, but Struffâs line gives you the thrill of the underdog and a positive expected return.
Bonus Spread Pick:
Alcaraz -7.5 (1.77â1.80)
Heâll probably win 6-3, 6-4, 7-6. The spread is tight, but Alcarazâs grass-court consistency makes this a safer play for those who canât stomach the Struff gamble.
âThe camino de Alcaraz hacia la final serĂĄ mĂĄs apacible de lo inesperadoâ â Yes, but only if he survives the psychological toll of facing a man who once beat him on clay. Stay flat, Carlos. Stay flat.
Created: July 4, 2025, 12:29 a.m. GMT