Novak Djokovic advanced to his 66th Grand Slam final with a hard-fought victory over Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin at Wimbledon on Monday. The 39-year-old, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, secured a four-set win with scores of 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a match that tested his resilience on Centre Court.

The victory marked Djokovic’s 106th individual match win at Wimbledon, allowing him to surpass Roger Federer on the tournament’s all-time wins list. Despite the achievement, Djokovic acknowledged his emotional struggles during the match, apologizing for several visible outbursts and moments of frustration. “I’m known for my outbursts and meltdowns – I had a few of those today so I apologise,” he said after the match.

Djokovic’s performance echoed his earlier third-round encounter against Arthur Rinderknech, where he also faced strong resistance from his opponent but managed to prevail. Safiullin, a qualifier ranked outside the top tier, posed a significant challenge, particularly in the third set where he secured a 6-3 win to extend the contest.

The Serbian player’s ability to regain control and close out the match in four sets highlighted his experience and determination as he continues to chase further Grand Slam success. Djokovic will now prepare for the final, aiming to add to his extensive record in men’s tennis at one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.