Day 3 at the 2026 Championships, Wimbledon, belonged to the record books. Jannik Sinner etched his name into Italian tennis history while Novak Djokovic put on a masterclass that even had the 24-time Grand Slam champion purring with satisfaction — and that is not something you say about Djokovic’s performances very often.
For fans following the grass-court Grand Slam from Singapore, Day 3 offered precisely the kind of star-studded, high-quality action that makes Wimbledon one of sport’s great annual events.
Sinner Breaks Italian Grand Slam Record
The world No.1 Jannik Sinner dispatched Portugal’s Nuno Borges 7-6(4), 7-6(2), 6-4 to record his 95th Grand Slam match victory — surpassing Nicola Pietrangeli’s long-standing record as Italy’s most prolific player at the Slams. It is a remarkable milestone for the 24-year-old, who has transformed himself from an exciting prospect into the most dominant player on tour over the past two seasons.
The match was not quite as straightforward as the scoreline suggests. Borges — the Portuguese No.1 and a dangerous grass-court performer — had his moments, leading 5-3 in the second set and threatening to level the contest. Sinner, however, has developed an almost eerie composure in tight situations. He reeled off five of the final six games in that set to seize control, and from that point, Borges could find no way back.
The Italian’s serve was formidable throughout, his return-of-serve equally punishing, and his footwork on the grass — a surface that suits his flat, aggressive ball-striking — was exceptional. He faces American Jenson Brooksby in the third round, a match that, on form, should present little trouble for the world No.1 as he eyes another deep Wimbledon run.
Rory McIlroy was among the spectators in the Royal Box watching Sinner’s progress, a reminder of the crossover appeal that tennis enjoys during the summer fortnight at SW19.
Djokovic in Stunning Form Against Tsitsipas
If Sinner’s performance was impressive, Djokovic’s was simply breathtaking. The seven-time Wimbledon champion dismantled Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in just 98 minutes — a scoreline and a timeframe that underlines just how total his dominance of the Greek was on this occasion.
“You feel very happy and satisfied and joyful on the court when you’re playing this way,” Djokovic said afterwards. “Once you get the momentum going — two sets to love up, a break up, that game when I went 5-2 up was one of the best return games I’ve played in a while. I just went for my shots.”
At 39, Djokovic cherry-picks his tournament schedule with care, but he arrives at the Grand Slams having done everything necessary to be ready. He is self-coached now — no Boris Becker, no Goran Ivanisevic, no Andy Murray alongside him — and seemingly all the better for it. His serve, though not enormous, is pinpoint accurate. His groundstrokes are metronomic. His return-of-serve remains arguably the best the game has ever seen. And his reading of the game, his ability to anticipate what an opponent will do before they have even decided, is extraordinary.
Tsitsipas, for his part, tried. He always does. The 27-year-old Greek is rebuilding after a chronic back injury that had him contemplating retirement last year, and he is now working with coach Thomas Perrin after parting ways with his father Apostolos — reportedly for good this time. He pushed harder in the second set, finding greater precision on his serve, but Djokovic simply tightened the screws at 4-4 and swept through in clinical fashion. The third set was almost embarrassingly one-sided: 33 winners, seven unforced errors from the Serb. A near-perfect performance.
Djokovic now faces Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the third round, and will be quietly confident of continuing his progress towards a potential eighth Wimbledon title.
Looking Ahead: Day 4
With both Sinner and Djokovic through, the men’s draw is taking shape at the top. Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka continued her charge in the women’s draw, while the tournament’s second week promises a series of blockbuster encounters.
Wimbledon 2026 is shaping up to be one of the finest Championships in recent memory. With the sport’s biggest names firing at full tilt on the grass, the next fortnight at the All England Club promises to be unmissable — even from the other side of the world.
Wimbledon 2026 continues daily through to the finals on 12–13 July. Follow LBRD Sports for daily coverage of The Championships.
