Novak Djokovic continued his march toward a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title with a historic fourth-round victory over Roman Safiullin on Sunday, July 5, becoming the winningest men’s singles player in the tournament’s history. Joining him in the quarter-finals were fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who rallied past teenage American Iva Jovic, and 10th seed Karolina Muchova, who ended defending champion Barbora Krejcikova’s title defence in a gripping all-Czech battle at the All England Club.
Novak Djokovic clears Roman Safiullin hurdle and another Wimbledon Record
Novak Djokovic added another chapter to his Wimbledon legacy on Sunday as the Serb fought past Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin 7-6(6) 6-3 3-6 6-3 to earn a record 106th match victory at the All England Club and reach another quarter-final.
The victory moved Djokovic clear of his retired rival Roger Federer on the men’s all-time match wins list at the grass court Grand Slam.
The seventh seed will now have another piece of history in his sights as he bids to equal the Swiss great’s haul of eight Wimbledon titles.
Also in pursuit of a standalone 25th Grand Slam trophy, the 39-year-old Djokovic has steadily gained momentum on the famous lawns of southwest London and heads into the last eight having again shown his knack for navigating danger.
“Another hard-fought win,” Djokovic said. “Roman started very well and very aggressively. I didn’t feel as comfortable from back on the court.
“I knew it was going to be a challenge, staying in the rally with him, particularly from the end where you played against the wind pretty much the whole match. He’s just a very solid player and I respect him a lot.”
Jessica Pegula avoids upset Against Iva Jovic
Fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula overcame a slow start to record a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Iva Jovic on Sunday to advance to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.
Pegula, 32, rebounded after dropping a set for the first time this tournament to dispatch the 16th-seeded Jovic and improve to 8-0 against American women this year.
Reaching the quarterfinal for the second time in four years, Pegula will take on the winner of 11th-seeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland and seventh-seeded Coco Gauff.
Trailing 4-5 in the first set, Jovic won four straight points before ultimately serving out the set before Pegula stormed back.
Pegula benefited from precise groundstrokes and limiting her unforced errors to change the momentum of the match.
Also on Sunday, 10th-seeded Karolina Muchova recorded a 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 win over fellow Czech Barbora Krejcikova.
Karolina Muchova beats compatriot Barbora KrejcikovaÂ
Tenth seed Karolina Muchova snuffed out the Wimbledon hopes of friend and 2024 champion Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday, winning 7-5 5-7 6-3 in a tight battle for Czech supremacy and a place in the quarter-finals.
Muchova, 29, used her athletic game of precise volleys, delicate drop-shots and searing cross court winners to overcome Krejcikova, at 30 just eight months older than Muchova, and now ranked 38th in the world, in warm sunshine on Court Two.
Muchova stepped up her aggression in the 12th game, attacking the Krejcikova serve and winning the first set with a sizzling cross court backhand return. She produced a total of 50 winners in the match, to Krejcikova’s 24.
She wore down her compatriot in a mamsymoth 16-minute sixth game of the second set, taking it on her fourth break point.
But just when she looked down and out, Krejcikova, who also has the 2021 French Open title to her name, roared back to win five games in a row and force a decider.
Muchova steadied her nerves, grabbed a break in the fourth game of the third set as Krejcikova, whose career has been beset by injury, appeared to tire in the heat, and took the match with a lobbed forehand winner before hugging her opponent at the net.
(With inputs from Reuters)
