London: Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, is eyeing his seventh consecutive quarter-final appearance as he prepares for a challenging match against Holger Rune. Djokovic, aiming to equal the record for most Wimbledon titles and secure his 25th Grand Slam, displayed his form by overcoming Alexei Popyrin in four sets. Despite wearing knee support from recent surgery, Djokovic entertained the crowd with a playful moment mimicking playing a violin, a gesture directed towards his daughter.

His upcoming opponent, Holger Rune, the Danish 15th seed, has shown promise with a remarkable comeback victory in the third round. Djokovic acknowledges the threat posed by Rune, describing him as a spectacular and tricky player. Anticipating a competitive match filled with intensity and fireworks, Djokovic is prepared for the challenge on Monday.

Yulia Putintseva, after stunning world number one Iga Swiatek in the third round, is geared up for another significant battle against Jelena Ostapenko. Putintseva's victory marked her strong grass-court season following her triumph at the Birmingham Classic. Despite previously struggling on grass, Putintseva feels more comfortable on the surface this year and aims to continue her impressive run at Wimbledon.

Her opponent, Ostapenko, the Latvian 13th seed and former French Open champion, has shown flashes of her past glory but faces a resilient Putintseva eager to extend her momentum.

Meanwhile, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the French lucky loser, has unexpectedly reached the fourth round after initially losing in the final qualifying round. Standing tall at 2.03m, Mpetshi Perricard capitalised on the opportunity presented by an injured player's withdrawal to enter the main draw. Known for his powerful serve, which has delivered 105 aces in the tournament so far, Mpetshi Perricard defeated Emil Ruusuvuori to become the first lucky loser to reach the Wimbledon last 16 since 1995.

Now facing Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti, Mpetshi Perricard aims to reach his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final, an achievement that would coincide with his 21st birthday on Monday. Determined and focused on his next match, Mpetshi Perricard remains proud of his performance and is motivated to continue his unexpected journey at Wimbledon.

As the tournament progresses, these matches promise excitement and drama, showcasing the competitive spirit and resilience of the players vying for glory on the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon. AFP