3 turning points as Djokovic leads Safiullin at Wimbledon

Last updated: July 5, 2026, 4:09 p.m. BST

Two sets up and still visibly frustrated, Novak Djokovic had control of his fourth-round match against Roman Safiullin, leading 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 while the qualifier held a 3-2 edge in the third set. The match had already swung through a missed first-set chance for Safiullin, a decisive second-set break, and then a tense third set that included a medical timeout. The stakes grew sharper because Safiullin had arrived on Centre Court after an exhausting run and a serious hip injury that had previously sidelined him for six months.

The Bottom Line

• Djokovic led 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 after taking a tight opener and the only break of the second set.
• Safiullin broke first in the third set, but Djokovic immediately broke back after three missed forehands from the qualifier.
• At 3-2 in the third, Safiullin called for the trainer and received treatment around the left hip or hip flexor area.
• The qualifier had already played three consecutive five-set matches since the final qualifying round before beating Joao Fonseca.
• Djokovic is pursuing a record 25th Grand Slam title and an eighth Wimbledon crown.

Breaking It Down

Safiullin’s biggest opportunity came early. He served for the first set, according to The Guardian’s live coverage, but Djokovic broke back and forced a tiebreak. Safiullin then led 3-1 in that breaker before Djokovic recovered. After three set points came and went between them, Djokovic finally took the set 8-6 in the tiebreak.

The second set was less chaotic. Safiullin held through the opening games, but Djokovic kept getting looks at second serves and eventually converted a fourth break point for a 4-2 lead. He closed the set 6-3 with serve-and-volley points, moving within one set of another Wimbledon quarter-final.

The third set brought another jolt. Safiullin opened with a confident hold, then broke Djokovic for 2-0 as the seven-time Wimbledon champion showed his frustration and received a warning. The chance disappeared almost immediately: three missed forehands put Safiullin under pressure, and Djokovic broke back. By 3-2, the qualifier had called for the trainer and was lying on the grass with a towel over his head while treatment focused on the same general area as his previous hip problem.

That sequence explained why the match felt more fragile than the scoreboard alone suggested. Safiullin had enough power and timing to trouble Djokovic, but missed chances kept feeding the favorite a route back into control. BBC’s live report also noted the physical cost of Safiullin’s run: three straight five-set matches since the final qualifying round, followed by his win over Fonseca two days earlier.

Why This Matters

For Djokovic, the match is another step in a bid that carries historic weight. The provided reports say he is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title and an eighth Wimbledon crown. He was also trying to reach a ninth consecutive Wimbledon quarter-final, so every momentum swing mattered even with a two-set lead.

For Safiullin, the significance is different. His path to the fourth round came after a six-month absence caused by a serious hip injury and a punishing sequence of long matches. The medical timeout therefore was not just a pause in play; it directly connected the physical toll of his tournament to the area that had already disrupted his career. For U.S. tennis fans following Wimbledon, the match offered a clear contrast between Djokovic’s ability to survive pressure points and a qualifier whose best moments were being tested by fatigue and injury concerns.

What Comes Next

Safiullin returned to his feet after treatment and was able to continue, with the latest provided score showing him ahead 3-2 in the third set while trailing by two sets. The cause and severity of the discomfort had not been confirmed in the provided reports.

The winner moves toward the Wimbledon quarter-finals. The Independent’s live updates said Djokovic and Jannik Sinner were on a possible semi-final collision course, while Djokovic’s immediate task was to finish the fourth-round match.

FAQ

What is the Djokovic vs. Safiullin score?

The latest provided update had Djokovic leading 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, with Safiullin ahead 3-2 in the third set.

Did Roman Safiullin get injured?

Safiullin took a medical timeout at 3-2 in the third set. Treatment focused on the left hip or hip flexor area, and he returned to his feet afterward.

How did Djokovic win the first set?

Safiullin served for the set but was broken. Djokovic then won the tiebreak 8-6 after Safiullin had led 3-1.

What happened early in the third set?

Safiullin broke Djokovic for 2-0, but Djokovic immediately broke back after a poor service game from the qualifier.

Why is Safiullin’s physical condition a concern?

He previously missed six months with a serious hip injury and had played three consecutive five-set matches since the final qualifying round.

What is Djokovic chasing at Wimbledon?

The reports say Djokovic is pursuing a record 25th Grand Slam title and an eighth Wimbledon crown.