Novak Djokovic def. Roman Safiullin 7(8)-6(6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 — Wimbledon 2026 R16

Match recap

Novak Djokovic defeated Roman Safiullin 7(8)-6(6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the R16 of the Wimbledon 2026.

Three hours and 25 minutes into a Round-of-16 grinder, the ledger came down to return games: Novak Djokovic converted 5 of 9 break points while Roman Safiullin cashed just 4 of 14, and that gap carried a 7-6(6) 6-3 3-6 6-3 win at Wimbledon. Safiullin outhit the No. 7 seed 45 winners to 41 and led the opener 4-2 before Djokovic broke back in game 9 and edged the tiebreak. Then the match turned twice more. Safiullin ran off three breaks to take the third set 6-3, but Djokovic answered immediately, breaking in game 2 of the fourth and saving 10 of 14 break points overall to close it out. It's his third four-setter in four matches this fortnight — the Tsitsipas rout aside, nothing has come easy.

Profiles: Roman Safiullin · Novak Djokovic — Wimbledon 2026

Head-to-head

Roman Safiullin and Novak Djokovic have met 4 times, with Novak Djokovic leading the head-to-head 4–0.

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