LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic saw Arthur Rinderknech falling toward the Centre Court net after a volley and said to himself “please stay down.”
The Frenchman did — and 39-year-old Djokovic dove to hit a backhand volley winner on match point for a 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4) record-equaling victory in the third round at Wimbledon on Friday.
Djokovic's 105th match win at the All England Club ties Roger Federer on the men's list for most singles match victories. Martina Navratilova won 120 singles matches at Wimbledon.
By next weekend, Djokovic would love to equal Federer's men's record of eight singles titles, but this one will have to suffice for Friday.
“Today, I was quite stressed out, more tension than usual,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “I knew it was going to be a very challenging match for me.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion overcame a blip — dropping the third set in 18 minutes — and held his nerve in the fourth-set tiebreaker by hitting back-to-back aces before Rinderknech's forehand went wide to set up match point.
“I saw him slip and kind of fall down. And I was just like ‘please stay down’ for that last shot,” Djokovic, who had repeatedly punched his left thigh after losing the third set, said of the final play.
Joining Federer on 105 singles match wins is “a huge honor and privilege,” Djokovic added. “I propose a matchup for me and Roger for 106.”
Djokovic will face Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin in the fourth round.
Also Thursday, defending champion Jannik Sinner beat Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 on No. 1 Court to advance to the fourth round.
Fonseca loses to Safiullin
Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin wiped away tears after beating Brazilian rising star João Fonseca 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the fourth round.
Safiullin, ranked No. 132, dealt with a knee injury last year but this week has eliminated two seeded opponents at the All England Club. He surprised 12th-seeded Andrey Rublev in the first round. Fonseca was seeded No. 24.
The 28-year-old Safiullin, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist in 2023, became emotional when he described his journey back.
“After the U.S. Open, I had to stop — for treating my injury,” he said in an on-court interview. “That time was super tough. Even let’s say half a year ago I didn’t know if I will be able to be back.”
Safiullin then paused and used his shirt to wipe away tears as fans applauded on No. 2 Court.
“I’m super happy to be back here,” he added.
In the women's draw, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka plays Jelena Ostapenko later on Centre Court.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
