Djokovic far from vintage but his aura gets him over the line

Djokovic far from vintage but his aura gets him over the line Last updated 05 July 2026 5:28pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Key moments Djokovic gets the job done Seven-time champion not at his best but manages to reach his 66th grand slam quarter-final Safiullin hits back Russian qualifier takes advantage of Djokovic’s struggles to win third set Djokovic cruises to second set Seven-time champion needs one break of serve to claim a two-set lead Djokovic steals first set Safiullin made to rue costly errors Array of sports stars in the Royal Box Sir James Anderson, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Jason Kenny are seated for today’s match Expand all Novak Djokovic was far from his best but had enough to beat Roman Safiullin Credit: Toby Meville/Reuters Uche Amako live updates, at Wimbledon Last updated 05 July 2026 5:28pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Key moments Djokovic gets the job done Seven-time champion not at his best but manages to reach his 66th grand slam quarter-final Safiullin hits back Russian qualifier takes advantage of Djokovic’s struggles to win third set Djokovic cruises to second set Seven-time champion needs one break of serve to claim a two-set lead Djokovic steals first set Safiullin made to rue costly errors Array of sports stars in the Royal Box Sir James Anderson, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Jason Kenny are seated for today’s match Expand all If you tell Novak Djokovic that time is the one opponent that cannot be beaten, he is likely to respond: “Hold my jacket.” Such is his aura, one can imagine him being wheeled onto Centre Court in his mid-80s, calculating that even on his worst days, his aura might be enough to make an opponent consider the magnitude of the achievement of swatting him aside. Roman Safiullin is the latest player who can testify how it feels playing the legend rather than the ball. It’s reached a point where most players must overcome the fear that beating Djokovic will jeopardise their chances of getting a signed photograph or post-match selfie with him.  Djokovic’s 106th Wimbledon match win was far from vintage, as he struggled over four erratic sets, saving his best until last.  Indeed, he could consider himself fortunate that a third-set tantrum – when he smashed the ball to the back of the court after losing serve – was pinpoint in its accuracy. Had it struck a ball boy or ball girl, he could have been thrown out of the tournament. That was a reflection of a tormented genius for most of the match. Djokovic wasn’t at his best but did what he had to do to make the second week in SW19 Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA As the Russian qualifier dashed to a 5-2 lead in the first set, there were enough murmurs in the disbelieving crowd to suggest that the seven-time champion was finally showing his age. When Djokovic bowed his head after swiftly losing serve for a second time, he resembled a weary 39-year-old who had not enjoyed enough recovery time between matches.  The spectators responded by chanting his name – a large Serbian contingent was intent on trying to make Centre Court resemble Belgrade during a Davis Cup tie – sensing the need for inspiration. Naturally, there was a response, although it initially owed more to his presence than brilliance. Serving for the first set, Safiullin choked, wildly spraying volleys and forehands to invite Djokovic back without the Serb having to show any of his class. That effectively cost Safiullin what he should reflect upon as a winnable match. Djokovic duly won the tie-break and the second set 6-3, although it did not improve his sour mood. Roman Safiullin had a 5-2 lead in the opening set but nerves appeared to get the better of him  Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Typically, when the situation threatened to get too serious, the real Novak turned up, often resembling an old-school serve volleyer to quicken the points. Perhaps flirting with peril is what drives an increasing number of aging icons to keep going – that knowledge that even if inconsistency becomes more frequent, broadening the shoulders and staring down someone trying to prey on your vulnerability keeps the juices flowing. We are living in an era of the veteran sporting virtuoso who, depending on your perspective, is defying natural law to stay at the top of their game, or exposing an ego so fragile they refuse to make a dignified exit. Like Lionel Messi at the World Cup, Djokovic undoubtedly belongs in the former camp. His latest victory surpassed Roger Federer’s tally of Wimbledon matches won.  It’s the Swiss legend’s record number of titles he is truly after and even when striving for his consistent best as he was here, it’s difficult to see anyone but Jannik Sinner with the mentality, let alone talent, to stop him. Latest updates Uche Amako live updates, at Wimbledon 5:25PM Djokovic reacts Link copied to clipboard “Another hard-fought win. Roman [Safiullin] started very well. He was very aggressive so I didn’t maybe feel as comfortable from the back of the court. “I knew it was going to be a challenge staying in the rallies with him, particularly from the end where we were playing against the wind for pretty much the whole match. He is a very solid player, I respect him a lot, I’ve played him on different surfaces but never on grass. “He’s had some great wins this week, I wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season. He should be proud of his performance today. 5:08PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Djokovic hits his tenth ace to start the game. Another big serve is unreturned, 30-0. Safiullin nets a tired backhand return. Three match points. Djokovic drop volley winner to finish in style, GAME SET MATCH DJOKOVIC!!! 5:06PM Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 5-3 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic senses an opportunity to get this match done now as he drills a backhand cross-court for a winner, 15-30. Safiullin stays alive when Djokovic, ever the perfectionist, nets a forehand, 30-30.  Djokovic takes the game to deuce. But an ace, Safiullin’s eighth of the match, seals the game. 5:00PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 5-2 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Superbly constructed point by Djokovic as he pulls Safiullin around the court and finishes with a drop volley winner, 30-15. Djokovic ends the game with an overhead smash and glares towards the crowd. He must of heard something that he didn’t like. Djokovic plays a backhand against Safiullin Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images 4:58PM Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-2 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Safiullin keeps himself in touch with Djokovic but something needs to happen soon if he wants to prolong this match. 4:53PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-1 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Anxious faces in the Djokovic support box after he pushes a weary backhand wide, 15-15. Safiullin too deep again on the return and Djokovic serve and volleys for a winner, 30-15.  Good anticipation by Safiullin to read Djokovic’s overhead smash, Safiullin’s shot clips the net and Djokovic hits a behind-the-back volley and nets, 40-30. Safiullin return long and Djokovic moves a step closer to the quarter-finals. 4:48PM Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 3-1 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Credit to Safiullin as he stops the bleeding and gets at least one game in this set. Does he have anything left in the tank to mount an incredible comeback? Safiullin looks on as his hopes of winning fade Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images 4:43PM The tennis genius has finally turned up Link copied to clipboard Told you he was looking better at the end of the third set. Just shy of three hours, the tennis genius has finally turned up.  4:42PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 3-0 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Djokovic wins his tenth point in a row to go 40-0 up. Safiullin pegs him back to 40-30. But Djokovic consolidates the break when Safiullin puts a forehand long. I think the Russian is done out there! 4:38PM Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 2-0 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Safiullin has Djokovic running from side to side and gets an overhead smash to finish but smacks it long. Awful shot and it is three break points. Short Safiullin forehand, Djokovic steps inside the baseline and crushes a forehand winner into space for the break. 4:34PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Clever chipped backhand up the line by Safiullin and Djokovic’s stretch volley drops in the net, break point. Safiullin tries to go on the attack but shanks a forehand high and long, deuce. More patience required! A clearly frustrated Djokovic manages to come through that scare to hold. 4:31PM Has Safiullin finally woken up to the fact that Djokovic looks beatable Link copied to clipboard You have to wonder if Safiullin has finally woken up to the fact that Djokovic has looked beatable out there for much of the afternoon.  There is some irony, though, that the highest quality game of the match - by some distance - was the one in which the Serb lost his serve to go 4-2 behind, leading to the latest tantrum when he smashed the ball away. Djokovic actually looked sharper at the end of the set he lost than the two he won.  4:27PM Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 3-6 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard A little luck for Safiullin as his volley clips the net and drops kindly on Djokovic’s side, 30-15. Djokovic return goes long, two set points. Djokovic backhand into the tramlines and Safiullin does hang on to win his first ever set over the 24-time grand slam champion. Game on? 4:24PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 3-5 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Djokovic does what he needs to do and holds serve to make Safiullin hold his own to win the set. Can the Russian do it this time? 4:20PM Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 2-5 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Safiullin consolidates the break as Djokovic barely puts any effort into his returns. Something going on with the Serbian at the moment. Djokovic is extremely lucky that his furious, ferocious smash of the ball did not strike one of the ball boys or girls. That could have been an instant disqualification.  4:18PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 2-4 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Back-to-back winners from Safiullin after the resumption. That massage is working a treat so far. Djokovic forehand into the tramlines, 0-40. Three break points. Djokovic saves the first. and the second and digging out a forehand pass. One more chance for Safiullin... Safiullin forehand return into the net. Djokovic survives. Deep forehand by Safiullin catches Djokovic by surprise and the Serbian’s reply flies long. Fourth chance for Safiullin. Saved by Djokovic with a volley winner. Stunning forehand return winner by Safiullin. His support box loved that. Fifth chance to break for Safiullin. Rally of the match, Djokovic hits a drop shot, Safiullin hits one of his own, Djokovic lifts the ball high and Safiullin put his backhand overhead... wide. Oh my goodness. Another Djokovic error as he nets a backhand. Sixth break point. Djokovic attacks the net and hits a volley, Safiullin gets there and rips a forehand right at Djokovic. It drops in and Safiullin finally breaks. Djokovic angrily smashes the ball away. He is not a happy man right now. Novak Djokovic let his frustrations show after losing the third set against Roman Safiullin 😤 pic.twitter.com/9mwPwYwwme — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 5, 2026 4:07PM Medical timeout for Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Another delay here as Safiullin receives treatment on the grass. The fans entertain themselves with a Mexican wave, which even the Royal Box gets stuck into.  But Safiullin is good to continue... 4:02PM Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 2-3 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Safiullin asks the umpire to make a call to the trainer. Unclear what the issue is. Perhaps just wear and tear after two hectic weeks of tennis.  Safiullin finds the baseline with a forehand and Djokovic goes long. In disbelief at his miss Djokovic drops his racket and berates his box. Very strange. 3:57PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 2-2 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard In this set, Safiullin has moved his return position and is standing closer to the baseline. It doesn’t help to break here but he will have a better chance going forward. 3:56PM Djokovic knows he has been well below his best Link copied to clipboard Not sure what the expletive was from Djokovic that earned him a warning after losing his serve, but it reflects his general mood. He knows he’s well below his best. Typically, he channelled his fury to break straight back. You could say he is teasing Safiullin. Every time the Russian dares to believe, the real Novak turns up.  3:54PM Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 1-2 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard The service breaks in this match have come in clusters and Djokovic has an immediate chance when he moves to 0-40. Djokovic squanders the first. Then on the second, he lifts a delicate lob over Safiullin’s head, and the ball lands right on the line. Terrible game by Safiullin. Djokovic breaks back. 3:51PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 0-2 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Djokovic goes for a big forehand down the line but misses long, break point Safiullin. Deep return by Safiullin and Djokovic nets a forehand. The seven-time champion receives a code violation for an audible obscenity. The Serbian is not happy at all.  3:46PM Third Set: Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 0-1 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard A delay of around eight minutes before the start of the third set. Apparently, players have five minutes from the moment they reach the bathroom to change. Yet it seemingly took two minutes for Safiullin to get there. “Outrageous,” says John McEnroe on commentary and I agree. When he finally does return, Safiullin holds to start the set.   3:40PM This is not vintage Djokovic Link copied to clipboard This is not vintage Djokovic. He’ll be thankful he didn’t come up against rising star Joao Fonseca (who lost to Safiullin in the previous round) and a boisterous Brazilian contingent inside Centre Court today, as his erratic form may have been punished.  File this under the category of ‘getting the job done,’ knowing that serious improvement - and a massive reduction in unforced errors - will be needed if he ends up facing Jannik Sinner.  3:32PM Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard After 46 minutes, Djokovic has his first set point following a clean volley winner, 40-30. And Djokovic serve and volleys his way to the second set in style. A mammoth task for Safiullin now. 3:28PM Djokovic 7-6, 5-3 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Safiullin keeps himself in touch with a simple hold. Djokovic’s work is done after breaking. His focus is on holding serve one more time to win the set. Djokovic is clearly unhappy with his level. Not sure he can believe he is a game away from a two-set lead. A curious match overall.   Spectators wear Novak shirts in support as Novak Djokovic Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images 3:23PM Djokovic* 7-6, 5-2 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Safiullin has no chance of breaking Djokovic again with his current return position. He is bound to be feeling down as Djokovic cruises to another service hold. 3:21PM Djokovic 7-6, 4-2 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Problems for Safiullin after he tries to be clever with a drop shot but gets it horribly wrong and nets, 0-30. The Russian then puts a forehand into the tramlines, 15-40. Djokovic nets a return on the first break point. Safiullin drop shot is good and as Djokovic sets off to get there, he loses his footing and falls. Djokovic’s forehand return beats the despairing stretch from Safiullin, break point. Relief for the Russian after Djokovic nets a forehand.  Approaching eight minutes for this game and Safiullin still can’t get out. Break point Djokovic after his return clips the net cord and zips past McEnroe. Safiullin forehand into the net and Djokovic breaks. 3:10PM Djokovic* 7-6, 3-2 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard After a host of breaks in the first set, there is a different pattern in the second. Djokovic sails through another service game. Once he gets comfortable on his serve and focuses on the return, there will be problems for Safiullin. 3:07PM Djokovic 7-6, 2-2 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Safiullin continues to serve very well today. He’s made 83 per cent of first serves and won 66 per cent of the points. 19 winners as well and just 14 unforced errors. He can be very pleased with his display so far. 3:02PM Djokovic* 7-6, 2-1 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Safiullin is opting for a very deep return position and Djokovic is taking full advantage by attacking the net more and more. Safiullin will need to adjust because Djokovic doesn’t have a 140mph serve so there is no need to be that far back. Djokovic holds to 15. 3:00PM Djokovic 7-6, 1-1 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Safiullin holds to love and doesn’t appear to be too despondent after the first set. He has broken Djokovic twice in the match so he is not completely out of this. 2:56PM Second Set: Djokovic* 7-6, 1-0 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Must-win set for Safiullin because I can’t see him going two sets down and winning in five. Especially if he is hitting overhead smashes into the net, 40-15. Djokovic moves forward confidently and finishes with a volley winner. Djokovic looks on against Safiullin  Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images 2:49PM Safiullin will be having nightmares about his service game Link copied to clipboard There would have been a few whispers about a Roman conquest when Djokovic looked a shadow of himself in the earlier part of that first set. He looked weary after losing his first service game, opening the possibility that his recovery powers between matches were finally waning. He looked… shock horror… like a 39-year-old.  But we’ve seen this show before. There is always an emphatic response, although he was helped by his opponent’s choke when the set was in the Russian’s grasp. Safiullin will be having nightmares about his service game when 5-3 up if Djokovic moves up the gears from here. Safiullin was very meek on the biggest points. 2:46PM Djokovic 7-6 (8-6) Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Terrible drop shot by Safiullin drifts wide and gifts Djokovic another set point, 7-6. Djokovic first serve and Safiullin’s return is wide, 8-6. The Russian pays a heavy price for not holding serve. 2:43PM Djokovic 6-6 (6-6) Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Quality ball striking from Djokovic gets Safiullin on the run and he nets a backhand, 4-3. Djokovic digs out a return and Safiullin puts his forehand wide, 5-3. Bad miss. Djokovic backhand long after Safiullin’s ups the power from the baseline, 5-4. Safiullin gets a look at a backhand down the line but goes long, 6-4. Great hustle by Safiullin to stay in the rally, Djokovic has multiple chances to take it but fails to and misses, 6-5.  Big second serve by Safiullin and Djokovic nets his return, 6-6. On we go! 2:38PM Djokovic 6-6 (3-3) Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Nervy forehand into the net by Safiullin, 0-1. Safiullin blasts a cross court forehand into the corner and finishes with an overhead smash, 1-1. Djokovic serve and volleys, but he doesn’t do enough and Safiullin finishes with a backhand winner, 1-2. Safiullin forehand winner down the line, 1-3. Safiullin forehand wide, 2-3. Djokovic serve and volley winner, 3-3. 2:34PM Djokovic* 6-6 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Back-to-back aces by Djokovic take him to 40-0. And he completes a very efficient hold when Safiullin nets a return. Tie-break time!! 2:32PM Djokovic 5-6 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Credit to Safiullin as he holds to love with an ace and guarantees himself a tie-break. I wonder if he is still thinking about failing to hold serve and take the set ten minutes ago. Djokovic returns to Safiullin Credit: Henry Nicholls/Getty Images 2:28PM Djokovic* 5-5 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Looks like Djokovic has finally settled into this now and he holds to 15. Can Safiullin respond? 2:27PM Safiullin was playing the man rather than the ball Link copied to clipboard It must be so reassuring for the greats to know that - even when they’re struggling - their aura might save them. Safiullin was playing the man rather than the ball when serving for the first set.  2:23PM Djokovic 4-5 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Safiullin has never won a set against Djokovic. He won’t get many better chances than this. Safiullin has the open court to place his forehand but gets it wrong, sending a forehand wide, 15-30.  Djokovic dips a forehand low and Safiullin’s volley is difficult and he misses it wide, two break points. Deep return by Djokovic, Safiullin miscues a forehand wide and Djokovic breaks. Entirely predictable.   2:20PM Djokovic* 3-5 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Djokovic continues to spray balls all over the court. He’s pushing harder than he usually does. He mixes things up with a serve and volley winner, 30-30.  Safiullin rips a forehand up the line and Djokovic can’t get the volley over, set point. Timely first serve by Djokovic, deuce. Wild backhand by Djokovic goes long, second set point. Djokovic ace. He always finds that first serve in tight moments. Djokovic eventually does what he needs to do and holds. Big pressure on Safiullin now. 2:10PM Djokovic 2-5 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Must-win game for Safiullin because Djokovic will be desperate to get level as soon as possible. Safiullin moves sharply up the court for a short return by Djokovic and finishes with a forehand winner, 40-30. 127mph ace by Safiullin to hold. Very impressive from the Russian! Safiullin is a game away from the first set Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images 2:06PM Djokovic* 2-4 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Djokovic applies some eye drops before coming out to serve. Safiullin is doing damage with his forehand and he attacks the net behind it and finishes with an overhead winner, 0-30. Djokovic double fault, 0-40. Hmmmm, what’s going on here then? Djokovic drops the ball short, Safiullin drags him off the court and Djokovic can only net his forehand. Safiullin breaks and deservedly so! 2:03PM Djokovic 2-3 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Safiullin has settled down well. He holds to love and looks to be playing with great confidence. How long till Djokovic breaks him again? 2:01PM Djokovic* 2-2 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard Better from Djokovic as he holds for the first time in the match. Serving from the Royal Box end seemed to help so we’ll keep an eye on how he serves next time. 1:59PM Djokovic 1-2 Safiullin* Link copied to clipboard Very strange game from Djokovic but Safiullin won’t care too much. And he races through this service game, holding to love with an ace. If Djokovic is struggling with his vision, then this might be an uncomfortable afternoon for him. 1:56PM Djokovic* 1-1 Safiullin Link copied to clipboard First double fault of the match by Djokovic, 15-30. He seems to be struggling with his vision when tossing the ball up. Djokovic then sends a forehand long and it is two break back points for Safiullin. Djokovic saves the first with an ace. Then, the second when Safiullin pushes a forehand long, deuce. Safiullin gets another chance to break when Djokovic makes another error. And Safiullin does get the break when Djokovic inexplicably puts a forehand into the tramlines. 1:46PM First Set: Novak Djokovic 1-0 Roman Safiullin* (*denotes server) Link copied to clipboard Here we go then. A place in the quarter-finals at stake. Djokovic is the overwhelming favourite. And he starts well here, earning a break point in the opening game when Safiullin nets a backhand. Djokovic gets Safiullin on the move and the Russian sends a forehand into the tramlines. Ominous start by the Serbian. 1:41PM Is Djokovic the ‘people’s champion’? Link copied to clipboard They’re enthusiastically chanting for Djokovic already, so either a special consignment of tickets was dispatched to his Serbian fan club, or the seven-time winner is, dare one say it, heading towards ‘People’s Champion’ status.  Such popularity will not facilitate the pantomime villain routine he mastered in previous years.  1:34PM Cheers for Barker blew everyone else off the court Link copied to clipboard When today’s dignitaries in the Royal Box were introduced, the cheers for Sue Barker blew everyone else off the court. The BBC’s head of sport might choose to edit that out… Sue Barker reacts after being introduced on Centre Court Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage 1:31PM Everyone loves Sue Barker Link copied to clipboard No doubt who got the biggest cheer - Sue Barker. Second place goes to Sir Geoff Hurst and the athletics quartet of Jonathan Edwards, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Paula Radcliffe and Kelly Holmes. 1:21PM We have a stacked Royal Box full of sports stars Link copied to clipboard And they are all about to be introduced. Let’s see who gets the biggest cheer... Sir James Anderson (cricket)Sue Barker (tennis)Danny Care (rugby union)Michael Carrick (football)Matt Dawson (rugby union)Jonathan Edwards (athletics)Jessica Ennis-Hill (athletics)David Gower (cricket)Sir Geoff Hurst (football)Lauren James (women’s football)Megan Jones (women’s rugby)Sadia Kabeya (women’s rugby)Sir Jason Kenny (cycling)Dame Laura Kenny (cycling)Paula Radcliffe (athletics)Graeme Souness (football)Sir Andrew Strauss (cricket) 1:12PM I coached Novak Djokovic – these are the secrets that made him the GOAT Link copied to clipboard By Boris Becker Could it be Novak Djokovic’s summer at Wimbledon? I wouldn’t rule it out. Even if he has lost half a step since his peak years as an athlete, this tournament is all about the mind. Grass-court tennis tests your mental strength and your temperament like no other surface. On clay, if you miss a break point, you don’t need to worry too much: there will be another one along in a minute. But on grass, you might only get one chance per set. This sorts the men from the boys. And Novak isn’t just a grown up; he is the elder statesman of the game. At 39, he will not be the fastest or the strongest player in the draw anymore. But Wimbledon favours the smartest players ahead of the finest physical specimens. I’m talking about people who can read the game, and who can understand their opponent’s strengths. Click here to read more from the former Wimbledon champion. 1:02PM Day seven at Wimbledon Link copied to clipboard Hello and welcome to coverage from Wimbledon as Novak Djokovic continues his bid for a 25th grand slam title today. The Serbian claimed his 105th victory at SW19 with a hard-fought win over Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. Success today would give him sole ownership of second place on the all-time list of most Wimbledon match-wins ahead of Roger Federer with whom he drew level on Friday while also equalling the Swiss maestro’s record of 18 fourth-round appearances. “I propose a match-up between me and Roger ​for 106,” seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic joked in his on-court interview. Let’s just stop it here and call Roger to come.” A possible semi-final showdown with Jannik Sinner looms large on the horizon and Djokovic insists he feels good about his form and fitness. “For sure [I feel] better, fresher. I mean, more energy now after three matches than I have had in Paris,” he said. “But it’s also normal and logical to expect that, considering the difference in the surface and physicality of the points and the effort that has to go in every shot with spin and everything on clay, it’s quite different here. It doesn’t mean that I’m not spending any energy on the court. Of course, I am. And the deeper I go into the tournament, obviously the less fresh I will be physically, but I’m trying to maintain that to an optimal level. But as I said, no major issues. I’m feeling fine.” Djokovic’s opponent today is Russian Roman Safiullin, who claimed an impressive win over Brazilian 24th seed Joao Fonseca. Ahead of facing Djokovic, he said: “I played against him three times and only one time I was really close to getting a set against him. The other two times he destroyed me. Hopefully this time I will give him problems and make him suffer on the court.”