Novak Djokovic etched his name deeper into the Wimbledon history books on Sunday, July 6, 2026, by defeating Roman Safiullin in the fourth round. The victory not only secured his place in the quarter-finals but also marked his 106th men's singles win at the tournament, surpassing Roger Federer's long-standing record of 105 victories.
A Historic Milestone on Centre Court
The seven-time Wimbledon champion faced a determined Roman Safiullin, a Russian qualifier, on Centre Court. Djokovic ultimately prevailed with a score of 7(8)-6(6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 after a hard-fought contest that saw him tested significantly.
This landmark win extends Djokovic's remarkable career achievements. It is his 17th Wimbledon quarter-final appearance and an astonishing 66th Grand Slam quarter-final, showcasing his enduring dominance and longevity in the sport.
Match Details: A Spirited Challenge
Djokovic, seeded seventh, had to dig deep against Safiullin, who displayed aggressive baseline play and powerful serving throughout the match. The opening set proved crucial, with Djokovic saving set points before narrowly winning the tie-break 8-6. He then took control of the second set with a timely break.
Safiullin, however, refused to yield, capitalizing on a momentary dip in Djokovic's form to claim the third set. The 39-year-old Serbian responded with championship resolve in the fourth set, tightening his service games and employing serve-and-volley tactics to neutralize his opponent's attack. A critical break gave him the necessary cushion to close out the match with confidence.
“Another hard-fought win. Roman started very well, very aggressively. I didn’t feel so comfortable from the back of the court. I knew it was going to be a challenge staying in the rallies with him. He’s a very solid player. He should be proud of the performance today,” Djokovic commented in his post-match interview.
Chasing More Records
Djokovic's pursuit of history continues this fortnight. A triumph at the All England Club would see him equal Federer's record of eight Wimbledon men's singles titles. Furthermore, it would secure his record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Other Quarter-Finalists Emerge
Elsewhere in the tournament, top seed Jannik Sinner also advanced to the quarter-finals with a straight-sets victory over Shintaro Mochizuki. In the women's draw, Jessica Pegula overcame Iva Jovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, and Karolina Muchova also reached the last eight. The biggest upset of the day saw Naomi Osaka defeat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to book her quarter-final spot.