Djokovic ready for Wimbledon 'fireworks' as Putintseva eyes another scalp

LONDON – Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic has his sights set on reaching a seventh successive Wimbledon quarterfinal on Monday (Tuesday Manila time).

Diminutive giant-killer Yulia Putintseva will target another upset against former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, while lucky loser Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard aims to make more Wimbledon history.

AFP Sport looks at three fourth-round matches to watch on the eighth day of action at the All England Club:

Novak Djokovic has hit all the right notes in the opening rounds of his bid for Wimbledon history, but the Serb can't afford an off-key moment in his tricky last 16 test against "spectacular" Holger Rune.

Chasing a record-equaling eighth title at the All England Club and 25th Grand Slam crown, Djokovic beat Australia's Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) on Saturday to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the 16th time.

Still sporting a knee support on his right leg following surgery in June, Djokovic also showed the more playful side of his polarizing personality after he subdued the gritty Popyrin.

The Serb, who last won Wimbledon in 2022, mimed playing a violin as he stood on Centre Court in a gesture apparently aimed at his daughter, who has recently started playing the instrument.

Djokovic will have to stay on song against Rune after the Danish 15th seed mounted an impressive third-round comeback, prevailing over Frenchman Quentin Halys in five sets having trailed by two.

"He looks to me a player that is ready for big things. He's a spectacular player, no doubt. He's a very tricky opponent," Djokovic said.

"When it comes to competing, obviously we both have that fire. I'm sure on Monday we'll see a lot of fireworks on the court."

After ousting world number one Iga Swiatek in the third round, Yulia Putintseva is steeled for another potentially explosive clash when she faces Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the last eight.

The world number 35 fought back to stun Swiatek 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 and end the Polish star's 21-match winning streak on Saturday.

Putintseva's victory continued a superb grass-court season for the 29-year-old who won the Birmingham Classic last month.

The Russia-born Kazakhstani has