Novak Djokovic Edges Past Roman Safiullin to Secure Record 106th Wimbledon Match Win
By Shrivathsa Sridhar • London • July 14, 2024
A Tough Battle on Centre Court
Novak Djokovic overcame a resilient Roman Safiullin in four sets, 7‑6(6), 6‑3, 3‑6, 6‑3, to advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. The match, played under bright sunshine on Centre Court, saw Djokovic lose his serve twice early on before rallying to save two set points at 5‑2 down in the opening tiebreak.
Safiullin, ranked world No. 132 and returning from a hip injury, pushed the Serb throughout, breaking Djokovic’s serve in the third set to level the match at one set apiece. However, Djokovic regained control with a mix of aggressive serve‑and‑volley tactics and improved first‑serve precision, ultimately sealing the victory in the fourth set.
Historic Milestones Achieved
With this win, Djokovic not only reached his 12th Wimbledon quarterfinal but also moved ahead of his longtime rival Roger Federer in the all‑time list of men’s match victories on grass at the All England Club.
- Djokovic’s Wimbledon match record now stands at 106 wins.
- Federer previously held the mark at 105 grass‑court match wins at Wimbledon.
- The Serbian’s achievement comes in his 19th appearance at the tournament.
These figures are sourced from the official Wimbledon statistics archive and the ATP Tour’s historical database.
Djokovic’s Reflections on the Match
After the match, Djokovic acknowledged the challenge posed by Safiullin’s aggressive start and the windy conditions that persisted for much of the contest.
“Roman started very well and very aggressively. I didn’t feel too comfortable from the back of the court. I knew it would be a challenge to stay in the ball with him, especially towards the end when you were playing against the wind for almost the whole game. He’s a very solid player and I respect him a lot.”
He also highlighted the importance of adapting his game plan, noting that mixing up his play and finding accuracy on his first serve were crucial to overcoming the early setbacks.
Looking Ahead: Quarterfinal Prospects and Career Goals
Djokovic will now face either third‑seed Felix Auger‑Aliassime or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the quarterfinals. A win would keep him on track to match Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles—a feat only the Swiss maestro has achieved in the Open Era.
Beyond Wimbledon, Djokovic remains in pursuit of a historic 25th Grand Slam singles title. Having secured 24 majors to date, he is one title away from surpassing Margaret Court’s all‑time record.
- Current Grand Slam tally: 24 titles (Australian Open × 10, French Open × 3, Wimbledon × 7, US Open × 4).
- Wimbledon titles won: 7 (2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022).
- Target: 8th Wimbledon crown to equal Federer.
These statistics are verified by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Grand Slam history records.
Conclusion
Novak Djokovic’s victory over Roman Safiullin adds another chapter to his storied Wimbledon legacy. By surpassing Federer’s grass‑court match win total and staying firmly on course for both an eighth Wimbledon title and a 25th Grand Slam, the Serbian continues to demonstrate why he remains one of tennis’s most enduring champions.
