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One feared he would never return to top-level tennis. The other now shares the court with a famous player in his mind.
After pulling off two of the biggest shocks in the first week of Wimbledon, qualifiers Roman Safiulin and Shintaro Mochizuki will now set their sights on defeating the two seeded Wimbledon champions.
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Ciner are the superstars of the tournament, who are just one step away from reaching the quarter-finals.
Russia’s Safiulin defeated Brazilian 24th seed Joao Fonseca in an impressive 6-3 6-3 6-3 six months ago after struggling with an injury he feared would not fully recover.
The 28-year-old is a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, but is currently ranked 132nd in the world and is undefeated this year before qualifying for ATP Tour level play.
He ended his 2025 season after the US Open in August and did not return to action until February.
Safiullin is now on a six-match winning streak at SW19 – including three qualifiers – heading into a fourth-round meeting with seven-time champion Djokovic on Sunday.
Struggling to speak through tears, Safiuli was given a standing ovation by the crowd on Court Two following his victory over 19-year-old Fonseca.
“After the US Open, I had to stop to treat my injury. That time was very difficult. Even half a year ago, I didn’t know if I would be able to come back,” Safiullin said.
Safiulin became emotional again as he tried to explain the importance of the win, telling the BBC: “It (the emotion) came from a difficult time, I would say, it was not an easy time.
Looking ahead to facing Djokovic, he added: “I’ve played him three times and only once did I come close to getting a set against him.
“He destroyed me two more times. This time I will give him trouble and I want him to suffer in court.”
