Wimbledon LIVE: Novak Djokovic penalised as star disqualified for outburst

Novak Djokovic reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon on Sunday after defeating qualifier Roman Safiullin 7-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 in a match marked by frustration and a code violation warning.

The 39-year-old's victory marked his 106th win at the All England Club, establishing a men's singles record. He had drawn level with Roger Federer's 105 victories in his third-round triumph on Friday and now stands alone with the most Wimbledon wins in the men's game.

Early in the third set, chair umpire Timo Janzen issued a code violation warning after Djokovic apparently shouted an obscenity followed by choice words in Serbian. Commentator John McEnroe remarked: "When you hear another language it immediately goes to your native tongue, I'd love to know what he was just saying."

Later in the third set, after losing serve at 2-4, Djokovic angrily smashed a tennis ball away. The Centre Court crowd erupted with boos against their seven-time champion.

The hard-fought encounter required almost three and a half hours on a warm afternoon. Safiullin held set points at 5-2 in the opening set before Djokovic prevailed in a tiebreak. The Russian qualifier won the third set before the Serbian star won the fourth decisively.

Following his victory, Djokovic spoke to interviewer Annabel Croft. "And the outbursts as well, the outbursts, you know, the meltdowns I had a few of those today as well. I apologise," he said. He praised Safiullin: "Just a very solid player. I respect him a lot. I've played him on different surfaces, never on grass though. He has had some great wins this week and I wish him luck for the rest of the season. He should be proud of the performance he had today."

Djokovic will next face either Canadian third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime or Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the quarter-finals.