Novak Djokovic delivered a record-tying 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4) third-round victory over big-serving Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech on Friday at Wimbledon.
The seventh-seeded Serbian, a seven-time champion at the All England Club, matched Roger Federer’s men’s record with his 105th singles win at the grass court Grand Slam. Martina Navratilova holds the overall mark with 120.
“To be able to make history in this sport is a huge honor and a huge privilege,” the 39-year-old Djokovic said during his on-court interview. “Particularly here, it’s always a been a dream childhood tournament of mine. I’m not thinking about whether it’s going to be 105 or 106, but I’m just thinking about trying to win that match on a given day.
“Today I was quite stressed out. There was more tension than usual. I knew it was going to be a very challenging match for me. I’m just happy to overcome this. I propose a matchup between me and Roger for 106!”
Djokovic weathered 21 aces by the 6-foot-5 Rinderknech, who saved six of nine break points and won 82.4% of the points on his first serve. Rinderknech finished with a 67-40 advantage in winners, but Djokovic was sharp with only 16 unforced errors in the three-hour, 15-minute match.
“He’s very tall. He hit some incredible serves. So, he deserves a round of applause for his performance today,” said Djokovic. “It was a really tiring, really close match. I’m happy to overcome it. Sometimes you just have to find a way to win, and I’m happy I did that today.”
Up next for the 24-time Grand Slam winner is Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin, who posted a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win upset of No. 24 Joao Fonseca of Brazil.
In other action Friday, defending champion and No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner of Italy moved into the fourth round for the fifth straight year with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Jenson Brooksby in 2:13.
“I am very happy about the win,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “I am trying to improve every day. A small step forward today and I am trying to get better if I want to get further in this tournament.”
Sinner’s next opponent is Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki, who knocked out 19-year-old Spaniard and No. 23 seed Rafael Jodar 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4.
No. 3 Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada had 10 aces while coasting to a 7-6 (1), 6-2, 6-1 victory over American qualifier Michael Zheng.
Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff pulled off a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 7-5 upset of two-time semifinalist and No. 8 seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia.
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz rallied past No. 21 Tommy Paul 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5, 6-2 and No. 22 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain defeated Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-3.
–Field Level Media
