Djokovic, Sinner book 4th-round tickets

Jannik Sinner fires a return at Jenson Brooksby. —AP

Novak Djokovic earned another slice of Wimbledon history as the seven-time winner advanced to the fourth round, while defending champion Jannik Sinner powered past Jenson Brooksby on Friday.

Djokovic beat French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech, 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4) on Centre Court to equal Roger Federer’s men’s singles record for most match wins at Wimbledon.

“To be able to make history of this sport is a huge honor and privilege, especially here,” Djokovic said.

Martina Navratilova (120) is the only player to have won more singles matches at Wimbledon than Djokovic and Federer.

Djokovic also tied Federer for most appearances in the last 16 of the men’s singles at Wimbledon in the Open era, making the fourth round for the 18th time.

“It’s always been a dream tournament for me here. I propose a match-up between Roger and me for 106, let’s stop it here and call Roger to come!”

Eala in action

Filipino Alex Eala was scheduled to take the court at press time to battle defending champion Iga Swiatek.

Djokovic is only the fourth man in the Open era to make the last 16 at Wimbledon aged 39 or older after Federer, Pancho Gonzales and Ken Rosewall.

He arrived at Wimbledon targeting a record 25th Grand Slam singles crown, which would break a tie with Margaret Court and draw him level with Federer’s record eight titles at the All England Club.

Winning Wimbledon would also make Djokovic the oldest man to lift a Grand Slam trophy in the Open era.

He meets Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin, who beat Brazilian Joao Fonseca in straight sets, for a place in his 66th Grand Slam quarterfinal and 17th at Wimbledon.

Sinner has never lost a Grand Slam match to a player ranked as low as world No. 81 Brooksby and he delivered an imperious display on Court One to keep that streak intact with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win.

The 24-year-old is into the last 16 for the fifth time, equalling Nicola Pietrangeli’s record for most Wimbledon men’s singles fourth-round appearances by an Italian.

In the last 16, he will face Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki—a surprise third-round winner against Spanish starlet Rafael Jodar.

Sinner ended Carlos Alcaraz’s two-year reign as Wimbledon champion with a brilliant final victory over the Spaniard last year. —AFP