Djokovic matches Federers Wimbledon wins as Sinner and Sabalenka advance

Novak Djokovic equalled Roger Federer’s record of 105 Wimbledon match wins on Friday as he and defending champion Jannik Sinner advanced to the fourth round, while Aryna Sabalenka set up a blockbuster clash with Naomi Osaka after another dominant display on grass.

The 39-year-old Djokovic, chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, required four sets to overcome France’s Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(7/4) on Centre Court, matching Federer’s all-time record for match victories at the All England Club . His victory came amid escalating pressure from qualifiers Roman Safiullin and Shintaro Mochizuki, who stunned higher-ranked opponents to set up potential fourth-round clashes with the top two seeds .

Sinner, meanwhile, maintained his title ambitions with a composed 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over American Jenson Brooksby, extending his unbeaten run on grass this season . The world No 1, who claimed the 2025 Wimbledon crown, will next face Mochizuki, the Japanese qualifier ranked 151st, in a match that promises to test his grass-court credentials .

Sabalenka, the tournament’s most explosive performer, continued her march towards a first Wimbledon title with a 6-4, 6-4 demolition of Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, setting up a highly anticipated fourth-round meeting with former champion Naomi Osaka . The Belarusian’s clinical grass-court game has drawn comparisons to her dominant form on hard courts, with her powerful baseline game proving particularly effective on the slick surface.

The fourth round will also feature a Czech clash between Barbora Krejčíková and Karolína Muchová, both of whom secured straight-sets victories on Friday . Krejčíková, the 2024 champion, defeated Nikola Bartůňková 6-3, 7-5, while Muchová overcame Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-2, 7-6(7).

As the tournament enters its second week, the focus shifts to the remaining contenders’ fitness and mental resilience, with temperatures soaring in London and the grass showing signs of wear. Djokovic’s ability to maintain his intensity at 39, Sinner’s title defence, and Sabalenka’s quest for her first Wimbledon crown have ensured that this year’s Championships remain unpredictable despite the early exits of several top seeds.