Record-equalling Djokovic passes Rinderknech test to seal Wimbledon last-16 spot

[p]The 39-year-old notched his 105th victory at the All England Club, winning [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/djokovic-n-AZg49Et9/rinderknech-a-pIxZZsof/?mid=z3uan9vq"]7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4)[/a] despite a spirited fightback from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rinderknech-arthur/pIxZZsof/"]Rinderknech[/a] on Centre Court.[/p][p]"[b]To be able to make history of this sport is a huge honour and privilege, especially here[/b]," said [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/djokovic-novak/AZg49Et9/"]Djokovic[/a].[/p][p]"[b]It's always been a dream tournament for me here. I'm just trying to win that match on a given day. Today I was quite stressed out, more tension than usual[/b].[/p][p]"[b]I propose a match-up between [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/federer-roger/GrsQDFC0/"]Roger[/a] and me for 106, let's stop it here and call Roger to come[/b]."[/p][embed guid="b09c3f61-5d94-41ae-9ca0-eec652692851" url="https://x.com/Wimbledon/status/2073075950837797246" social-type="twitter" /][p]Djokovic also tied Federer for most appearances in the last 16 at Wimbledon in the Open era, making the fourth round for the 18th time.[/p][p]He will next face Russian qualifier [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/safiullin-roman/IBpggNog/"]Roman Safiullin[/a] on Sunday for a place in his 66th Slam quarter-final and 17th at Wimbledon.[/p][p]"[b]I think I've done everything I needed to do today under the circumstances which weren't as good for me as they were in the second round[/b]," said Djokovic, who thrashed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tsitsipas-stefanos/hb6oWfc6/"]Stefanos Tsitsipas[/a] in his previous match on Wednesday.[/p][p]"[b]I hope in a few days' time I'll come out at my best[/b]."[/p][p]Djokovic's semi-final loss to eventual champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sinner-jannik/6HdC3z4H/"]Jannik Sinner[/a] last year was the first time he had failed to reach the final at Wimbledon since 2017.[/p][p]The Serb was never in serious danger of falling to a second straight third-round exit at a Grand Slam, despite dropping off markedly in the third set, following his dramatic loss at the French Open to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fonseca-joao/tv073LUc/"]Joao Fonseca[/a].[/p][p]Djokovic had said he wanted to play an "outdoor" match after winning under the Centre Court roof in his opening two rounds.[/p][image alt="Rinderknech and Djokovic embrace after the match" id="4f653df2-4639-438d-8a6c-84306a02969d" credit-line="REUTERS / Andrew Couldridge" guid="5e48ad5d-e851-4c17-9e9a-414d6b50b2c0" original-width="4380" original-height="2935" /][p]The change in conditions caused the seventh seed few problems, as he made just 16 unforced errors in another largely polished display.[/p][p]Rinderknech had his moments, particularly during an inspired third-set performance, but he ultimately came up short in his bid to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time in his career.[/p][h2]Djokovic entertains[/h2][p]Djokovic enjoyed playing up to the crowd early on, bowing to the spectators after a brilliant diving volley while serving out the first set.[/p][p]He carried that momentum into the second, breaking Rinderknech and then holding for a 3-1 lead with an ace.[/p][p]The former world number one missed chances for a two-set lead on Rinderknech's serve, but again made no mistake on his own delivery to close it out with another ace.[/p][embed guid="862b6531-0035-455b-96af-57e282ef8a91" url="https://x.com/TennisChannel/status/2073072767738564621" social-type="twitter" /][p]Rinderknech, the last remaining French player in singles action at Wimbledon, refused to go down without a fight and hit 13 winners as he raced to the third set.[/p][p]Djokovic rediscovered his rhythm on serve in a high-quality fourth set and secured victory in a tie-break by getting the better of a net exchange, which left both players sprawled on the turf, on his first match point.[/p]