Dashing Djokovic matches Federer with 105th Wimbledon match win

LONDON, July 3 : Novak Djokovic has spent the latter half of his glittering career equalling records set by former rival Roger Federer and the Serb was at it again as he notched up win number 105 at Wimbledon to reach the fourth round on Friday.

The 39-year-old, eyeing Federer's men's record eight Wimbledon singles crowns, suffered a third-set wobble against dangerous Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech and was pushed hard before closing out a 7-5 6-4 1-6 7-6(4) Centre Court victory.

Another one against Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin will take him to second alone on the all-time Wimbledon match win list behind only Martina Navratilova's 120.

"I propose a match-up between me and Roger for 106," seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic joked in his on-court interview after celebrating the win with some "dad dancing" for his laughing daughter Tara.

"Let's just stop it here and call Roger to come."

DIVING LIKE A GOALKEEPER

The way Djokovic dispatched Greece's twice former Grand Slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas in a round-two masterclass showed again that despite the passing years, there are few players who can touch him on grass.

It was a similar story against 30-year-old Rinderknech for the opening two sets on a sun-bathed arena as his precision shot-making and trademark elasticity had the crowd roaring their approval and Djokovic lapping it up.

At one point, after diving like a goalkeeper to make a volley as he served for the opening set, Djokovic, who again walked on wearing his Federer-esque blazer, made a bow.

Rinderknech was great value though, playing his full part in an absorbing duel littered with drop shots, lobs, crafty angles and some thunderous power from the tall Frenchman.

Even when the 25th seeded Rinderknech romped away