Wimbledon 2025: Days 5–8 – Thrills, Upsets & Ascending Stars

The tension is building at Wimbledon, and from Day 5 to Day 8, the tournament delivered sizzling performances, epic upsets and unforgettable moments. As the sun (and occasional clouds) cast a golden glow over SW19, players clashed in high-stakes matches that had fans perched on the edge of their deckchairs. The gentle rustle of strawberries and cream, the distant pop of champagne corks near Henman Hill—this is Wimbledon at its picturesque best.

In this article, we take you through every twist and turn from Days 5 to 8. We explore surging British hopes like Sonay Kartal and Cameron Norrie, the resilience of veterans Novak Djokovic, emerging talents like Ben Shelton and Mirra Andreeva, and the heartbreak of top seeds crashing out. You’ll find match breakdowns, weather quirks, crowd atmosphere, celebrity sightings and strategic insights that go beyond the surface. From record-breaking upsets to historic wins, this is your comprehensive guide to the middle rounds of Wimbledon 2025.

Day 5 Recap: Seeds tumble, Kartal shines

Day 5 was unforgettable—not least because 36 seeds had been eliminated by the end of the day. One of the breakout stories was Sonay Kartal, Britain’s No. 3, who powered through a gritty straight-sets win against Diane Parry to reach her first-ever Grand Slam fourth round. Early nerves were obvious, with misfires and placement errors, but once she settled, she was at her best—firing winners with precision and poise. “It was obvious I started off pretty nervous,” Kartal admitted afterward, but her response under pressure was a triumph in composure.

Cameron Norrie, Britain’s last man standing, found himself in a scrappy contest against Italy’s Mattia Bellucci. It wasn’t the cleanest match, but Norrie’s tenacity and focus saw him through in straight sets. He’s a fighter and proved it again.

Elsewhere, the tournament was rocked by major upsets. Naomi Osaka was knocked out by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, despite the vocal support of Nick Kyrgios from the player’s box. American Madison Keys also fell, losing to German veteran Laura Siegemund. As the seeds keep tumbling, Wimbledon 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

Carlos Alcaraz kept his streak alive with a thrilling win over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff. The Spaniard, watched by Mary Berry with a beaming smile, displayed his trademark agility and pinpoint shot-making. With his 17th consecutive Wimbledon win—and 21st straight victory overall—he continues to look unstoppable. He joked that Andy Murray had beaten him in golf, but “we’re one-all now”—Alcaraz very much in control on the tennis court.

Day 6 Highlights: Precision and power

Barbora Krejcikova, the defending women’s champion, faced off against America’s Emma Navarro. Navarro came out firing, taking the first set and forcing Krejcikova to scramble. The Czech responded well in the second, but the third saw Navarro pull away with momentum and tactical excellence. The defeat of the reigning champion was one of the day’s biggest shocks.

Jannik Sinner made quick work of Pedro Martínez, defeating him in straight sets. The Italian’s consistency, focus and movement on grass make him a quiet favourite to go deep this year. Asked if he would attend the Formula 1 qualifying at Silverstone, he laughed and said, “No, no, no—I must focus on the tournament.” Still, he disappeared quickly enough to catch the end of it anyway.

Iga Swiatek dominated Danielle Collins in a match that showed both flair and humour. Collins, momentarily forgetting the rules, walked to the wrong side to serve before jogging back sheepishly, saying “Sorry, Iga!” The Polish star showed no mercy, finishing off the match with calm authority and tactical superiority.

The moment of the day belonged to Novak Djokovic, who marked his 100th Wimbledon match win with a majestic straight-sets performance against fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic. On Centre Court, in front of a Royal Box packed with sporting legends, Djokovic delivered a masterclass in finesse, focus and flair. His daughter joined in with a courtside dance to reveal Novak’s new celebration: “Pump it up.” Ever the showman, ever the champion.

Day 7 Drama: The round of 16

By Day 7, it was down to the final 16—and tensions ran high. Cameron Norrie played a five-set epic against Nicolás Jarry that lasted over four hours. It was a war of attrition, with both players going the distance. Jarry grew frustrated by Norrie’s lengthy pre-serve routine, but the Brit held firm and collapsed in joy after sealing the win. Alcaraz has already warned: “I need to be at my very best when I play him.”

Sonay Kartal faced Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova with a chance to become British number one for the first time in her career. Unfortunately, the Centre Court stage proved a step too far this time as Pavlyuchenkova’s power and experience took her through.

Aryna Sabalenka looked dominant in her win over Elise Mertens, dispatching her in straight sets with a commanding display. Taylor Fritz and Andrey Rublev also progressed, each showcasing the kind of relentless baseline play that thrives on the Wimbledon turf.

Off-court, there were brief weather delays, champagne warnings to the crowd (“please don’t pop corks during serves”), and a Royal Box full of icons, adding to the theatre of the day.

Day 8 Showdowns: Quarter-finals take shape

Day 8 confirmed the final quarter-finalists—and brought more surprises.

Novak Djokovic faced Alex de Minaur and was stunned in the opening set, losing 6–1. But the Serbian legend composed himself and roared back, taking the next three with clinical execution. He praised his opponent afterward, calling de Minaur “a phenomenal athlete,” but Djokovic’s ability to adapt mid-match remains peerless.

Mirra Andreeva, just 18 years old, took down Emma Navarro in straight sets. Calm, composed and clever, she becomes the youngest woman to reach a Wimbledon quarter-final since 2007—a huge moment for the rising Russian star.

Ben Shelton, the hard-hitting American, came through a tough test against Lorenzo Sonego. The Italian had him running corner to corner, but Shelton’s power and stamina prevailed. He now becomes the youngest American man in a Wimbledon quarter-final since Andy Roddick in 2004.

Another youth surge came courtesy of Flavio Cobolli, who knocked out Marin Cilic in four sets. As the old guard falters, the new generation is rising fast.

The Wimbledon atmosphere

Off the court, the buzz of Wimbledon remains as quintessentially British as ever. Henman Hill was packed with fans sipping Pimm’s and sharing strawberries. The Royal Box drew big names including Anthony Joshua, Gary Lineker and Mary Berry. Celebrities posed for selfies, fans queued for Pimms, and some gently flouted the ‘no cork pop’ rule.

There were also reminders of tradition. Rain on Day 6 led to the covers being drawn and the roof being rolled into place. Even with new faces dominating the draw, Wimbledon still feels like a timeless ritual.

Key stats and surprises

• A record 36 seeds had been eliminated by Day 5
• Novak Djokovic reached 100 Wimbledon match wins
• Carlos Alcaraz extended his unbeaten streak at Wimbledon to 18 matches
• Mirra Andreeva became the youngest woman to reach the quarter-finals since 2007
• Ben Shelton became the youngest American man to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals in over 20 years
• Celebrity buzz and Royal Box glamour continued to add sparkle to the spectacle

Unique insight: Mental resilience and grass-court craft

Beyond the points and headlines, Wimbledon Days 5–8 revealed the essence of elite tennis: mental resilience. Djokovic’s turnaround after dropping a set, Kartal’s ability to regroup after nerves, and Norrie’s mental toughness during a four-hour marathon show how emotional control is as critical as technical skill.

And let’s not forget the grass itself. It rewards slice, variation, aggression and net play. Alcaraz, Djokovic and Andreeva excel not just because of power—but because of adaptability. Watching Wimbledon closely offers a masterclass in playing smart, not just playing hard.

Quick takeaways

• Major seeds fell early, opening up the draw
• British hopes surged with Kartal and Norrie performances
• Djokovic reached 100 Wimbledon match wins, continuing his legacy
• Alcaraz remains undefeated and in imperious form
• Andreeva and Shelton announced themselves as future stars
• The Wimbledon experience off-court remained as iconic as ever

Conclusion

Wimbledon 2025 is fast becoming a tournament for the ages. With veterans holding court and young stars breaking through, Days 5–8 provided drama, delight and a dose of unpredictability that has gripped the tennis world. Whether you were watching from Centre Court or from Henman Hill, the spirit of the championship was alive and electric.

As we head into the quarter-finals, the questions remain: Can Djokovic go all the way again? Will Alcaraz continue his dominance? Could a new name etch themselves into Wimbledon history? Whatever unfolds, one thing is clear—Wimbledon 2025 is delivering moments to remember.

Stay with us for all the action from Day 9 onwards. And if you haven’t already, vote in our fan poll: who do you think will lift the Wimbledon trophy this year?

FAQs

Who is the youngest quarter-finalist at Wimbledon 2025?

Mirra Andreeva, aged 18, is the youngest woman to reach the quarter-finals since 2007.

How many seeds have been eliminated so far?

By the end of Day 5, 36 seeds had been knocked out—a record-breaking total.

How many matches has Djokovic won at Wimbledon?

He reached his 100th Wimbledon match victory on Day 6 with a win over Miomir Kecmanovic.

Did rain affect play?

Yes, rain on Day 6 led to roof closures and brief delays across the grounds.

Which Americans are still in the draw? Ben Shelton is through to the quarter-finals, marking a huge moment for U.S. tennis.

Topics