​Novak Djokovic claimed the all-time Wimbledon record for the most men’s singles match wins but had to overcome moments of visible frustration to edge qualifier Roman Safiullin and reach the quarter-finals. Djokovic matched Roger Federer’s record with his third-round triumph on Friday, and the 39-year-old secured his 106th SW19 win by defeating the 132nd-ranked Safiullin 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 3-6 6-3 on Sunday. That total sits just behind Martina Navratilova’s 120 Wimbledon wins, the most by any player, male or female.
Djokovic, aiming to equal Federer’s eight Wimbledon titles and to claim an outright record 25th major, entered as the overwhelming favourite against Safiullin but faced a far from easy test. Safiullin, a former quarter-finalist, was in tears after his stunning third-round victory over rising star Joao Fonseca, having battled an injury he feared might not fully recover from six months ago. The 28-year-old Russian struck with power and perseverance, taking his first set against Djokovic in their four meetings to stretch the match beyond three hours.
Yet, as he did against Arthur Rinderknech in the previous round, Djokovic captured the fourth set to seal victory and set up a last-eight clash with Canadian third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime or Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Djokovic did this despite an apparent eye issue early on and later receiving a warning for an audible obscenity, narrowly avoiding a penalty after firing a ball into the back of the opposite side of the court after losing serve in the third set.
Despite Safiullin’s emotional surge after reaching this stage, he appeared full of belief as he began his bid for a monumental upset, responding to Djokovic’s initial break of serve by winning five of the next six games. But Safiullin could not convert that momentum, faltering as he served for the first set at 5-3 and ultimately losing in a tiebreak.
The 125-gap in ranking did not deter Safiullin from staying with Djokovic in the second set, until the Serb offered an opening in the sixth game and Safiullin finally faced a fourth break point. The fatigue of Safiullin’s grind through three straight five-set matches since qualifying began to show, including a medical timeout for a left-leg issue in the third set. He nevertheless managed to take his first set against Djokovic in four tour-level meetings, while Djokovic, who landed only 57% of his first serves, let out a moment of frustration on a ball after Safiullin earned a sixth break point for a 4-2 lead.
That incident drew boos from the crowd, but Djokovic regrouped and started to dominate at the start of the fourth set, breaking to love in the second game as Safiullin’s challenge waned. After sealing the victory with a closing drop shot, Djokovic earned a hug from Safiullin as a sign of mutual respect and good sportsmanship.