LONDON — Defending champion Jannik Sinner advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon for the fifth consecutive year on Friday, overcoming a determined challenge from American Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to keep his title defense on track despite another uneven performance.
Although the straight-sets scoreline suggested a comfortable afternoon, the world No. 1 was forced to work hard throughout the two-hour, 13-minute contest on No. 1 Court. Sinner struggled at times to find his rhythm, committing 26 unforced errors compared with Brooksby’s 20, and was broken while serving for the match at 5-3 in the third set before quickly regaining control.
The Italian also experienced occasional difficulties timing the ball cleanly and lacked some of the sharp touch that has become a hallmark of his all-court game over the past year. Even so, the four-time Grand Slam champion once again demonstrated why he sits atop the ATP rankings, raising his level during the key moments to secure a place in the last 16.
“I am very happy about the win,” Sinner said after the match. “I am trying to improve every day. A small step forward today and I am trying to get better if I want to get further in this tournament.”
Sinner’s latest victory extended his winning streak at Wimbledon to 10 matches as he continues his bid to become the first man since Carlos Alcaraz to successfully defend the singles title at the All England Club. He will next face Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki, who advanced by defeating Spain’s Rafael Jodar 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4.
The Italian arrived in London seeking to rebound from a disappointing second-round exit at the French Open last month, where he suffered a surprise defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. His response has followed a familiar pattern after last season, when he recovered from a heartbreaking loss to Alcaraz in the Roland Garros final by defeating the Spaniard to capture his maiden Wimbledon crown.
Mochizuki’s victory continued the 22-year-old’s breakthrough tournament after progressing through qualifying to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Elsewhere, Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by defeating two-time Wimbledon semifinalist Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 7-5 to reach the fourth round at the All England Club for the first time in his career.
Struff, who had already survived a five-set marathon against Brandon Nakashima in the second round, recovered from a 2-5 deficit in the third set before completing victory in two hours and 52 minutes.
The German’s victory also removed the highest remaining obstacle from Sinner’s quarter of the draw. Medvedev had been projected as the defending champion’s quarterfinal opponent but instead suffered another disappointing major campaign, extending his run without advancing beyond the fourth round at a Grand Slam to seven consecutive tournaments.
