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Wimbledon Schedule Today: Djokovic, Sabalenka Lead Fourth-Round Blockbusters

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Novak Djokovic/Wimbledon order of play: today's matches, full schedule and how to watch on TV

Wimbledon 2026 Round of 16: Sunday's Blockbuster Schedule Features Djokovic, Sabalenka, and Sinner

The fourth round of Wimbledon 2026 begins today, Sunday July 5, with a loaded lineup featuring eight men’s and eight women’s matches at the All England Club. The round of 16 brings together top seeds, former champions, and breakout stars in what promises to be a defining day for the tournament.

Three-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic (7) takes on Roman Safiullin on Centre Court at 1:30 p.m. local time, while top seed Aryna Sabalenka (1) faces former champion Naomi Osaka (14) in one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner (1) will also play Shintaro Mochizuki in the final Centre Court match.

The order of play was released late Saturday, July 4, after a dramatic day that saw Serena Williams withdraw from doubles with a knee injury, defending champion Iga Swiatek stunned by Alexandra Eala, and British wild card Arthur Fery battling through nosebleeds to reach the fourth round.

Key Matches on Sunday, July 5

Match Seeds Court Time (local)
Novak Djokovic vs. Roman Safiullin (7) vs. unseeded Centre Court 1:30 p.m.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Naomi Osaka (1) vs. (14) Centre Court after Djokovic
Jannik Sinner vs. Shintaro Mochizuki (1) vs. unseeded Centre Court after Sabalenka
Jessica Pegula vs. Iva Jovic (4) vs. (16) Court 1 1 p.m.
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (3) vs. (22) Court 1 after Pegula
Coco Gauff vs. Belinda Bencic (7) vs. (11) Court 1 after Auger-Aliassime
Karolina Muchova vs. Barbora Krejcikova (10) vs. unseeded Court 2 11 a.m.
Hubert Hurkacz vs. Jan-Lennard Struff unseeded vs. unseeded Court 2 after Muchova

The Stakes: Why This Round Matters at Wimbledon 2026

The fourth round at Wimbledon carries enormous weight for both the men's and women's draws. For the men, this is the stage where title contenders separate themselves from the pack. Novak Djokovic is seeking his eighth Wimbledon title, which would break his tie with Roger Federer for the most all-time. Djokovic tied Federer with his 105th Wimbledon win earlier in the tournament, a milestone that underscores his dominance on grass.

On the women's side, the top half of the draw has opened up significantly after Iga Swiatek’s shocking third-round loss to unseeded Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala. That result, combined with Elena Rybakina’s earlier exit, leaves the women's draw wide open. Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and a two-time Australian Open champion, is now the clear favorite—but she must first survive Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion who has shown flashes of her old brilliance this fortnight.

Arthur Fery’s Breakout and the Home Hope

British wild card Arthur Fery, 23, delivered the story of the tournament so far by reaching the fourth round. In a grueling five-set roller coaster against Zizou Bergs that lasted four hours and 38 minutes, Fery fought back from 4-1 down in both the fourth and fifth sets, all while battling persistent nosebleeds that required three medical timeouts. He won 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10/5).

Fery now faces Grigor Dimitrov, a former semifinalist, on Monday. The British No. 4 has become a crowd favorite and could carry the hopes of the home crowd deep into the second week.

Serena Williams Withdraws from Doubles; Americans Still in Contention

Serena Williams, 44, confirmed Saturday evening she would not play doubles with her sister Venus due to a knee injury. Tournament organizers had delayed placing the pair on the order of play to give Serena as much time as possible to decide. Her coach insisted in a statement that Serena does not view Wimbledon as a “one-off” appearance, suggesting she may return for future events.

Despite Serena’s withdrawal, American players remain prominent in both draws. Taylor Fritz is the last American man standing after he advanced to the fourth round with a straight-sets win. On the women’s side, Jessica Pegula (4), Coco Gauff (7), and Madison Keys (26) are all still alive, along with unseeded Ashlyn Krueger.

The Matchups to Watch on Sunday

Novak Djokovic vs. Roman Safiullin

Djokovic enters this match as the heavy favorite, having won his first three matches with relative ease. Safiullin, a Russian qualifier, has been the Cinderella story of the men’s bracket, but he faces a steep step up in class. Djokovic’s experience and return game should prove too much, but Safiullin’s serve could cause problems if he finds his rhythm.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Naomi Osaka

This is the blockbuster of the day. Sabalenka has not dropped a set through three matches, while Osaka has fought through tough three-setters. The two have split their career head-to-head, with Osaka winning their last meeting on grass at the 2024 Wimbledon. Sabalenka’s power game on grass is fearsome, but Osaka’s ability to raise her level on big stages makes this unpredictable.

Jannik Sinner vs. Shintaro Mochizuki

Sinner, the world No. 1, has steadied his ship after a five-set opening round against Francisco Cerundolo. Mochizuki is a dangerous unseeded player who upset Sebastian Korda and has been playing with confidence. Sinner’s all-court game should prevail, but Mochizuki’s speed could extend rallies.

Coco Gauff vs. Belinda Bencic

Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, has looked sharp on grass and is chasing her first Wimbledon final. Bencic, a former Olympic gold medalist, has been resurgent after returning from maternity leave. This is a clash of styles: Gauff’s athleticism vs. Bencic’s precision.

Jessica Pegula vs. Iva Jovic

An all-American matchup between the No. 4 seed and the 16th seed. Pegula has been consistent if unspectacular, while Jovic, 19, has announced herself as a rising star. Experience favors Pegula, but Jovic’s fearlessness could cause an upset.

Broader Implications: What This Week Changes for the Tournament

The outcome of Sunday’s matches will reshape the quarterfinal lineup and set the stage for the final week. On the men’s side, the draw is mostly seeded, meaning the latter stages could feature multiple top-10 clashes. On the women’s side, the upsets of Swiatek and Rybakina have opened the door for a first-time Wimbledon champion.

The Sabalenka-Osaka Rivalry and the Women’s Draw

Sabalenka-Osaka is more than just a fourth-round match—it’s a rivalry that could define the next generation of women’s tennis. Both have won multiple Grand Slams and have the power to dominate on grass. The winner will be the overwhelming favorite to reach the final from the top half of the draw, which now lacks a top-5 seed after Swiatek’s exit.

The Djokovic Legacy Watch

Djokovic is chasing history. A record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title would put him past Federer and keep him in the conversation for the greatest of all time. Each match at this stage is a step toward that milestone, and the pressure will only mount as the field tightens.

British Hopes and the Arthur Fery Story

Arthur Fery’s run has energized the home crowd, but his fourth-round match against Dimitrov is a significant step up in quality. If he can win, he would become the first British man to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals since Andy Murray in 2017. The weight of expectation will be immense, but Fery has shown remarkable composure under pressure.

How to Watch and Follow Wimbledon 2026 Today

All matches from the round of 16 will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC in the United States, and on BBC Sport in the UK. The first match on outside courts begins at 11 a.m. local time, while Centre Court starts at 1:30 p.m. Fans can stream coverage via fubo (try for free) or ESPN+.

Full Order of Play for Sunday, July 5

Centre Court (starting at 1:30 p.m.):

Court 1 (starting at 1 p.m.):

Court 2 (starting at 11 a.m.):

Other courts: Doubles and mixed doubles matches begin from 11 a.m. on Courts 3, 12, and 14.

For more on the players making headlines this week, read our coverage of Marta Kostyuk Turns Heads at Wimbledon with Bridal Dress, Faces Navarro Test and Samsonova Survives Shnaider at Wimbledon, Aims to Revisit Quarterfinal Glory.

What Comes Next: The Path to the Quarterfinals

Winners of Sunday’s matches will advance to the quarterfinals, which begin on Tuesday, July 7. The women’s quarterfinals are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, while the men’s quarterfinals will be played on Wednesday and Thursday. The semifinals are set for Thursday (women) and Friday (men), with the women’s final on Saturday, July 11, and the men’s final on Sunday, July 12.

With the draw opening up on both sides, the next few days will determine who has the staying power to lift the trophy. Whether it’s Djokovic chasing history, Sabalenka asserting dominance, or a new star like Eala or Fery emerging, the 2026 Wimbledon Championships are building toward a thrilling conclusion.

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