Djokovic advances to Wimbledon quarterfinals with record victory – Sabalenka eliminated

Safiullin took advantage of Djokovic's brief lapse and took the third set 6:3. The Russian, who had entered the main draw as world number 132 through qualifying, had managed in this stretch to keep the match open with powerful groundstrokes.

Djokovic briefly loses composure

After a hard-fought opening game in the fourth set, Djokovic raised his level again. An early break was enough for him to close out the match after 3 hours and 26 minutes with a 6:3, converting his first match point. „Ich habe mich auf dem Platz nicht so wohl gefühlt“, the Serb afterward admitted, calling the win „Ein weiterer hart erkämpfter Sieg“.

Despite losing his serve twice through uncharacteristic errors, Djokovic kept his composure and benefited in the decisive phases from his experience. He had lost in the third round of the French Open before Wimbledon and had accordingly entered the grass-court tournament in a vulnerable state.

With this win, the 39-year-old surpasses one of the most enduring records in men's tennis: overtaking Roger Federer (105) to become the sole record holder. Federer, the eight-time Wimbledon champion, is no longer active and had held the record for many years.

Record chase at the All England Club

Djokovic, seeded seventh, also set another Wimbledon record: he advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the 17th time. In total, he holds 24 Grand Slam titles and is pursuing his 25th major triumph. He has already won Wimbledon seven times.

In the women's round of 16, there was an upset: Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated by Osaka, further thinning the field of remaining title contenders. The Japanese player used her consistency to put the world number one under pressure in decisive moments.

Jessica Pegula, seeded fourth, defeated 16th-seeded Iva Jovic 4:6, 6:3, 6:1 to advance to the quarterfinals. Pegula showed a particularly strong performance in the decisive phases of the second and third sets.

Upsets in the women's field

Also through is Karolina Muchova: The Czech defeated Barbora Krejcikova, the 2024 Wimbledon champion, 7:5, 5:7, 6:3 in a tight three-set duel. Muchova proved to have the better nerve in the decisive moments.

Djokovic will face the winner of the match between Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN/ATP 4) and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP/ATP 23) in the quarterfinals. Auger-Aliassime is seeded third. A duel with Alexander Zverev from Hamburg could only come in the final, provided both win their semifinals.

Outlook on the quarterfinals

In the past, Djokovic had repeatedly emphasized how much he appreciates the Wimbledon conditions. Looking ahead to the upcoming tasks, he said of Safiullin: „Roman ist sehr gut und sehr aggressiv ins Spiel gekommen. Ich wusste, dass es eine Herausforderung werden würde, mit ihm im Ballwechsel zu bleiben, vor allem gegen Ende, als man fast das gesamte Match gegen den Wind spielen musste.“

Djokovic himself also spoke of „großen Respekt" for his defeated opponent and placed the win in the context of a long, demanding grass-court season. He pointed out that he had „trotz nicht optimaler Bedingungen und einiger untypischer Fehler" regained control.

With his 106th win at the All England Club, Djokovic definitively enters a sphere of his own. Should he win the tournament, he would celebrate his eighth Wimbledon triumph and draw level with Roger Federer, who triumphed at Wimbledon eight times.

Historic work of an exceptional athlete

The Wimbledon quarterfinals are one of the most tradition-rich events of the tennis year, played on grass in a London borough. The upcoming matches will show whether Djokovic can continue his record chase and claim his 25th Grand Slam title overall.

Regardless of how the rest of the tournament unfolds, Djokovic has once more cemented his place in the history books of Wimbledon with this win. The Serb, who already ranks among the most successful players in the sport, continues to extend his record.