Novak Djokovic heads towards the second week of Wimbledon in high spirits and with at least one record firmly in his sights.
Friday's four-set win over Arthur Rinderknech ensured the Serb equalled Roger Federer's record of 105 singles match wins at SW19.
No men's main draw player has ever achieved more and so Djokovic can set a new benchmark on Sunday.
In his path is qualifier Roman Safiullin, bidding to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the second time in his career, but, despite a majestic display in seeing off Joao Fonseca on Friday, this may prove a bridge too far for the Russian.
Roman Safiullin v Novak Djokovic Tips Summary
Best Bet - Novak Djokovic to win 3-0 @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Under 7.5 double faults @ 10/11
Bet Builder - Novak Djokovic -6.5 games, Novak Djokovic under 12.5 aces & Over 8.5 games in Set 1 @ 15/4
Roman Safiullin v Novak Djokovic Prediction
Best Bet: Novak Djokovic to win 3-0 @ 10/11
Djokovic has twice gone to four sets in his opening three rounds but, notably, the wily veteran dispatched two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets. When there was the possibility of blood in the water, Djokovic stepped up.
By his own admission, his post-match dance routines may still require some work, but most other aspects of Djokovic's performances have been on point in London as he chases that record 25th Grand Slam title.
Safiullin came through two gruelling five-set encounters en route to playing Brazilian teenager Fonseca in round three, where odds compilers expected his run to end.
He was superb in that three-set win, leaving Fonseca flummoxed with his variation as he hit 41 winners against just 18 unforced errors in the match.
Fonseca didn't solve the posers Safiullin asked of him, but Djokovic almost certainly will.
In three previous meetings, the Russian has yet to win a set and has only broken the Djokovic serve once, so tt shouldn't take too long before Djokovic has the chance to improve upon his dance moves.
Alternative Bet: Under 7.5 double faults @ 10/11
A capitulation from Safiullin is less likely. Since entering the main draw he has served just eight double faults in 13 sets of tennis. Against Fonseca, he didn't offer a single double fault.
Djokovic had three doubles in his four-set win over French powerhouse Rinderknech, bringing his tournament tally up to a mere five.
Both men are likely to continue to serve well and going under on the match double faults at 7.5 looks a solid play.
Roman Safiullin v Novak Djokovic Bet Builder Tip
Novak Djokovic -6.5 games
Novak Djokovic under 12.5 aces
Over 8.5 games in Set 1
Pays 15/4
Safiullin got very emotional on court after beating Fonseca as he described the feeling of uncertainty that he would overcome the injuries that plagued him last year.
It is to his credit that he has come this far and the lift it has provided can ensure he's competitive in the opening set.
Djokovic's openers in this tournament have all gone over 8.5 games and that trend can continue but if, as expected, he takes the opener, it should suck quite a lot of the fight out of Safiullin.
The great Serb can stamp his authority on the match after taking the opening set and should overcome a 6.5-game handicap.
Djokovic served 15 aces in his win over Rinderknech but suggested afterwards he had struggled at times. A dozen of those aces came in the fourth set.
A high number of aces from the seventh seed is unlikely here.
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Key Match Stats
Novak Djokovic's win against Arthur Rinderknech was his 105th at Wimbledon, a men's singles record he now shares with Roger Federer
The seven-time winner is playing in the fourth round for the 18th time and has not lost at this stage since 2006
Djokovic has served 42 aces in his three matches at Wimbledon in 2026, winning 75 per cent of points on first serve
Roman Safiullin's best Wimbledon run brought him to the quarter-finals in 2023
The Russian won three qualifiers to reach the main draw and battled through two five-setters in his last three matches
Djokovic has won all three previous meetings with Safiullin in two straight sets
Read more tennis betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
