Novak Djokovic got his wish for a daytime match at Wimbledon but was nearly handed a humiliating 'bagel' before subduing French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech 7-5 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-4) to reach the fourth round. The seven-time champion had complained about playing under the roof on Centre Court and organizers obliged, but the sunshine brought a rude shock from the dangerous big-serving Frenchman.
Djokovic's 105th Win Ties Federer's Record
The victory was Djokovic's 105th singles win at Wimbledon, equalling Roger Federer's men's record. However, it was far from straightforward. In the third set, Rinderknech was just two points away from handing Djokovic a 6-0 drubbing — an indignity the 24-time grand slam champion has suffered only 12 times in his career. Despite that 18-minute humbling, Djokovic regrouped to take the fourth set in a tiebreak.
After clinching the match with a brilliant diving volley at the end of a thrilling rally that left both men exhausted on the floor, the 39-year-old joked to the crowd: "I propose a match-up between me and Roger for 106! Let's just stop it here and call Roger to come!"
Sinner Cruises into Last 16
World No.1 Jannik Sinner had no such dramas, beating American Jenson Brooksby 6-4 6-3 6-4 in a clinical performance. "I'm very happy about the win," said the Italian. "I'm trying to improve every day, it's a small step forward today. I'm trying to get better if I want to go far in this tournament." Sinner will next face Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki, who upset Spain's Rafael Jodar 1-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 6-4.
Medvedev Falls to Struff
The biggest upset of the day saw Russian eighth seed Daniil Medvedev, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, lose 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 to German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff. Queen's Club finalist Tommy Paul also exited, beaten by Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 6-2. Teen star Joao Fonseca bowed out 6-3 6-3 6-3 to Russian Roman Safiullin, who cracked 41 winners and will face Djokovic in the last 16.
Mochizuki, ranked 151st, admitted he faces an uphill task against Sinner: "I think he's just a celebrity for me. He's going to try to destroy me. I just want to do whatever I can to, let's say, distract him — because just by hitting tennis balls, I don't think I can beat him at all."
