Novak Djokovic won his 105th Wimbledon match to equal Roger Federer’s men’s singles record and continue his bid for a 25th grand slam singles title.
The 39-year-old had to overcome an excellent performance from the big-serving 26th seed Arthur Rinderknech, winning 7-5 6-4 1-6 7-6, to reach the fourth round after being granted his wish to play during the day on Centre Court.
The seven-time champion then received a boost by learning that potential fourth-round foe Joao Fonseca, who defeated Djokovic at last month’s French Open, had been knocked out by qualifier Roman Safiullin.
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka meets former Jelena Ostapenko in what could be an explosive third-round clash on Centre Court, after four-time major winner Naomi Osaka continued her increasingly impressive campaign by beating former world No 8 Daria Kasatkina 6-1 6-3.
And there are plenty of Brits in doubles action, albeit none in singles after Arthur Fery became the only Brit in either the men’s or women’s draw to reach the third round with a four-set win over Otto Virtanen on Thursday.
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Wimbledon 2026: Upset alert as Daniil Medvedev knocked out!
Daniil Medvedev has never had the easiest relationship with grass, but the eighth seed’s Wimbledon is over after a straight-sets defeat to Jan Lennard Struff! Medvedev was a break up in the third but Struff comes through 7-6 (4) 7-6 (5) 7-5 to get the win.
It’s the third shock on the men’s side today, after Joao Fonseca was knocked out by qualifier Roman Safiullin and Rafael Jodar was beaten by another qualifier in Shintaro Mochizuk.
It means Djokovic will play Safiullin in round four, while Jannik Sinner, who beats Jenson Brooksby in straight-sets, will play Mochizuk.
Novak Djokovic challenges Roger Federer to play for win number 106
After levelling Roger Federer’s men’s singles record, Djokovic proposes a play-off for win number 106.
Before then, though, Djokovic will play qualifier Roman Safiullin in the fourth round.
That’s after Safiullin defeated Joao Fonseca in a shock upset earlier today.
Novak Djokovic into Wimbledon fourth round – and equals Roger Federer’s record
Novak Djokovic has a new victory dance. And he has reason to celebrate – he is into the fourth round, keeping his bid for the 25th title alive. With his 105th win at Wimbledon, he has drawn level with Roger Federer.
Djokovic accepts he needed a “flawless” tiebreak to beat Arthur Rinderknech, who he credits for an excellent performance. “It was a really tiring, really close match. Happy to overcome it. In the tiebreak, I had to find a way.”
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 6-6 Arthur Rinderknech
A DIVING VOLLEY FROM DJOKOVIC TO SEAL IT!
Incredible point! Incredible battle! It leaves both men face down on the grass! Djokovic went for the drop shot, Rinderknech reached it, but there was Djokovic to lob him on the dive!
Djokovic falls into Rinderknech’s arms. He made him work hard for that!
TIEBREAK! Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 6-6 Arthur Rinderknech
An ace from Rinderknech edges him ahead. Djokovic returns the favour, with back-to-back aces! If he wins either of the next two points, he will have match point…
And Rinderknech blinks on the forehand down the line! Out! It will be two match points for Djokovic, the first on the Rinderknech serve!
TIEBREAK! Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 6-6 Arthur Rinderknech
Chance for Djokovic! The forehand crosscourt was clean, opening up the court for the backhand into the same corner. But he pushes wide! 3-3.
TIEBREAK! Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 6-6 Arthur Rinderknech
With Djokovic at full stretch, it takes a cool Rinderknech to put a series of overheads away. Brilliant forehand crosscourt from Djokovic on the run, edging ahead 3-2.
Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 6-6 Arthur Rinderknech
That’s a superb game from Rinderknech to get into the tiebreak. Holding to love, with a couple of outstanding volleys at the net.
Can he force a fifth…
Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 6-5 Arthur Rinderknech*
What are the odds? Djokovic and Rinderknech exchange dead net-cords on back-to-back points.
Djokovic looks up to the sky and gives his thanks, but he looks like he’s running out of ideas as he puts a drop shot into the net.
Djokovic, though, returns to the drop shot on the very nice point, then fires the ace.
He gets through to the tiebreak at least. Can Rinderknech make it there?
