Novak Djokovic will look to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the 16th time on Saturday as Iga Swiatek faces an opponent who once described herself as a "gangster" when she's playing but an "angel off court".
Seven-time champion Djokovic is chasing Roger Federer's record of eight titles at the All England Club and his 25th Grand Slam title in total.
He barely broke sweat in his opening match this week but was pushed to four sets in his second encounter by British rookie Jacob Fearnley, who was still playing college tennis in the United States last month.
Just weeks after a right knee operation, Djokovic feels he is not fully up to speed yet.
"It's not yet there where I want it to be," he said after his win in the second round. "Kind of late on the balls that I'm normally not late on.
"That's the part which I guess comes with matches. So the longer I stay in the tournament, I think the better the chances that my movement will improve."
On Saturday, he tackles Alexei Popyrin, whom he beat in four sets at the Australian Open earlier this year.
With defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and top-ranked Jannik Sinner on the other side of the draw, and safely into the fourth round, Djokovic can see a clear path to a sixth straight final at the All England Club.
Popyrin, the world number 47, has never made the second week of a Slam.
Djokovic's scheduled semi-final opponent Alexander Zverev opens play on Centre Court against Cameron Norrie, the last British man in the singles tournament.
