LONDON — Novak Djokovic earned another slice of Wimbledon history as the seven-time winner advanced to the fourth round, while defending champion Jannik Sinner powered past Jenson Brooksby.
Djokovic beat French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4) on Centre Court to equal Roger Federer’s men’s singles record for most match wins at Wimbledon.
Martina Navratilova (120) is the only player to have won more singles matches at Wimbledon than Djokovic and Federer.
Djokovic also tied Federer for most appearances in the last 16 of the men’s singles at Wimbledon in the Open era, making the fourth round for the 18th time.
“To be able to make history of this sport is a huge honour and privilege, especially here,” Djokovic said according to AFP.
“It’s always been a dream tournament for me here. I propose a match-up between Roger and me for 106, let’s stop it here and call Roger to come!”
Djokovic is only the fourth man in the Open era to make the last 16 at Wimbledon aged 39 or older after Federer, Pancho Gonzales and Ken Rosewall.
He arrived at Wimbledon targeting a record 25th Grand Slam singles crown, which would break a tie with Margaret Court and draw him level with Federer’s record eight titles at the All England Club.
Winning Wimbledon would also make Djokovic the oldest man to lift a Grand Slam trophy in the Open era.
He meets Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin, who beat Brazilian Joao Fonseca in straight sets, for a place in his 66th Grand Slam quarterfinal and 17th at Wimbledon.
Sinner has never lost a Grand Slam match to a player ranked as low as world number 81 Brooksby and he delivered an imperious display on Court One to keep that streak intact with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win.
The 24-year-old is into the last 16 for the fifth time, equalling Nicola Pietrangeli’s record for most Wimbledon men’s singles fourth-round appearances by an Italian.
