LONDON — Novak Djokovic watched Arthur Rinderknecht tumble toward the Center Court net after a volley and said to himself, “Stay down, please.”
The Frenchman did – and Djokovic, 39, hit a backhand volley winner on match point for a record-equalling 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4) win in the third round at Wimbledon on Friday.
Djokovic’s 105th match win at the All England Club tied Roger Federer for the most singles match wins by a man. Martina Navratilova won 120 singles matches at Wimbledon.
Djokovic would love to equal Federer’s record of eight men’s singles titles
By the end of next week, Djokovic would love to equal Federer’s record of eight men’s singles titles, but just reaching the fourth round would be enough.
“Today, I was under a lot of pressure, more pressure than usual,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “I knew it was going to be a very challenging match for me.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion bounced back from a setback – dropping the third set in 18 minutes – and hit back-to-back aces in the fourth-set tiebreaker before a Renderkinch forehand went wide, setting up match point.
“I saw him slip and fall down. And I was like, ‘Stay down, please,’ for that last shot,” said Djokovic, who took repeated punches to his left thigh after losing the third set.
Djokovic added that joining Federer on 105 singles match wins is a great honour and a privilege. “I suggest a matchup for 106 for me and Roger.”
In the fourth round, Djokovic will face Russian qualifier Roman Sefilin. Safavilan, a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon in 2023, defeated rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
The sinner is back in form.
Defending champion Janek Sner defeated Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 on Court No. 1 to advance to the fourth round.
The Italian, looking to move on from his French Open meltdown, finished off Broxby in just over two hours after his opening-round five-setter to win the second round against Nuno Borges in straight sets but with two tiebreakers.
“I’m trying to find my way. I felt better today, which was my main goal,” said the four-time Grand Slam champion. “Trying to move on better. Today’s comeback was a bit better. All things considered, it was a small step.”
The junior will next face Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki, who beat Spain’s 23rd seed Rafael Joder 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4 to reach the fourth round for the first time at a Grand Slam. Mochizuki, who is ranked No. 151, won the Wimbledon boys’ title in 2019.
Furthermore, third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated American qualifier Michael Zeng 7-6 (1), 6-2, 6-1 in Canada’s Centre Court debut. John Lennard Struff beat eighth seed Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 7-5.
Sabalenka vs. Osaka in the fourth round
No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka face off for a place in the quarterfinals after both players won in straight sets.
Sabalenka defeated Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-4 on Centre Court to set herself up for a clash with the four-time Grand Slam champion, 14th-seeded Osaka.
“She’s a very aggressive player, serving well,” Sablenka said. “I watched some of his matches. … I’m ready to go out there and do whatever it takes to get through this tough match.”
Osaka defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-3 on the No. 1 court. Osaka is in the fourth round at the All England Club for the first time.
Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Claire Liu 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2 after three match points at 5-4 in the second set. Goff will next face 11th seed Belinda Bencic.
Other winners in the women’s draw included fourth seed Jessica Pegula, 10th seed Karolina Muchova and the 2024. Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejkova.
