The seven time champion is one victory away from another Wimbledon semifinal as he continues his pursuit of a record extending 25th Grand Slam title.
Novak Djokovic will face Felix Auger Aliassime in the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Tuesday, bringing together one of the most accomplished players in tennis history and one of the leading stars of the younger generation.
Djokovic advanced by defeating Roman Safiullin 7 to 6, 6 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 3 in the fourth round. The victory was his 106th at Wimbledon, moving him past Roger Federer for the most men’s singles match wins at the tournament. The 39 year old also reached his ninth consecutive Wimbledon quarterfinal and the 17th of his career.
The Serbian is now seeking his 107th victory at the All England Club and another step toward an eighth Wimbledon championship. Winning the title would also give him a record extending 25th Grand Slam singles trophy.
Despite reaching the final eight, Djokovic acknowledged that he was not completely satisfied with his performance against Safiullin. He said the strongest emotion after the match was relief rather than enjoyment, adding that he knows he will need to improve as the tournament enters its decisive stages. Djokovic has dropped a set in three of his four matches at this year’s event but has continued to find ways to advance.
Auger Aliassime Survives Marathon Match
Auger Aliassime reached the quarterfinals after a demanding five set battle against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina that lasted four hours and 26 minutes. The Canadian recovered after losing the opening set and eventually secured a 6 to 7, 7 to 6, 6 to 3, 6 to 7, 6 to 1 victory.
He fired 26 aces and saved six of the seven break points he faced, finally completing the win on his seventh match point. The result sent him into his second Wimbledon quarterfinal and his first since 2021.
After the match, Auger Aliassime described the contest as one of the most dramatic of his career. He also criticized the use of a medical timeout during a crucial stage of the fourth set, arguing that the rules should not allow a lengthy interruption when a player is serving for the match.
The Canadian joked that he did not know much about the Serbian player waiting for him in the next round, before making clear that he has enormous respect for everything Djokovic has achieved.
Rivalry Even Entering Quarterfinal
Djokovic and Auger Aliassime have met twice, with each player winning once. Djokovic defeated the Canadian in Rome in 2022, while Auger Aliassime earned his victory later that year at the Laver Cup. Their Wimbledon quarterfinal will be their first meeting on grass.
Experience strongly favors Djokovic, but Auger Aliassime enters the matchup as the world No. 4 and has shown that his powerful serve can be especially dangerous on grass.
For Djokovic, the match represents another opportunity to extend his extraordinary Wimbledon record. For Auger Aliassime, it offers a chance to defeat one of the sport’s greatest champions and reach his first semifinal at the tournament.
