Roman Safiullin and Shintaro Mochizuki, two qualifiers, have created significant upsets in the early rounds of Wimbledon 2026. As they prepare to face top seeds Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, both players are looking to continue their surprising runs at the tournament.
On July 3, 2026, Safiullin achieved an emotional victory over Joao Fonseca, the 24th seed, winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. This win comes after a challenging six-month recovery from injury, during which he feared he might never return to competitive tennis. Having not won an ATP Tour-level match this year, Safiullin is now on a six-match winning streak at Wimbledon, including three qualifying matches.
Emotional Journey of Roman Safiullin
Safiullin, once a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon, expressed his emotional turmoil after his victory. "After the US Open, I had to stop to treat my injury. That time was super tough. Even half a year ago, I didn’t know whether I would be able to [come] back," he shared. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he reflected on the significance of his win, stating, "It [the emotion] came from the hard times, I would say. It was not an easy period."
Looking ahead to his match against Djokovic, Safiullin acknowledged the challenge, recalling past encounters: "I played against him three times and only one time I was really close to getting a set against him. The other two times he destroyed me. Hopefully this time I will give him problems and make him suffer on the court."
Shintaro Mochizuki's Stunning Comeback
Shintaro Mochizuki, ranked 151st in the world, also made headlines by defeating Rafael Jodar, the 23rd seed, in a thrilling comeback. After losing the first set 1-6, Mochizuki rallied to win 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-4. This victory marks his first time reaching the fourth round at a Grand Slam.
"It’s a strange feeling to play Jannik at Wimbledon, especially now this year. I think he’s just a celebrity for me," Mochizuki remarked. Despite struggling earlier in the season and not securing any tour-level wins, he is now seeking a seventh consecutive victory.
The Support of Naomi Osaka
During Mochizuki's match, he was cheered on by fellow Japanese player Naomi Osaka, who had also won her third-round match. The two have developed a friendship through their time at the United Cup. Mochizuki expressed gratitude for Osaka’s support, stating, "I knew she had already won her match, so I was very happy she was there. She’s been really nice to me. She messages me when I win, and I follow her matches too."
Osaka praised Mochizuki’s achievements, saying, "It’s really cool to have another Japanese player making a run at Wimbledon to encourage us and motivate me to keep going." Their camaraderie highlights the importance of support among athletes during high-pressure tournaments.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Sport. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
