More inconvenienced by a head cold than by any of his opponents so far, Roger Federer expects to be in prime condition as he aims to make more history this week.

The 35-year-old can be the first man to win an eighth singles title at the All England club and claiming to be even fitter than he was when he ended a six month lay-off by winning the Australian Open in January, he has also been gradually recovering from that virus while swatting opponents aside.

For the first time since 2011 he goes into the second week of the tournament accompanied by all three of the men he has shared the world number one spot since first claiming that status 13 years ago, but the veteran was more immediately focused on his next task, a ‘manic Monday’ last 16 meeting with Grigor Dimitrov, who was being tipped to be the next big thing when he reached the semi-finals three years ago.

The Bulgarian’s form has not quite lived up to that tag, but there were signs of revived form when he reached the Australian Open semi-final where he took Rafael Nadal to five sets and Federer is naturally respectful of his 26-year-old opponent.

“He’s a good shot-maker and he's in the prime of his career you would think right now. Every time I have played him he has become better. I expect the same this time,” said the third seed.

By contrast, for all that Novak Djokovic finds himself up against a player who has already produced a significant upset, he is unlikely to be troubled by Adrian Mannarino, a 29-year-old who is playing in the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for only the second time in his career, having reached the same stage at Wimbledon in 2013.

His five set defeat of fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils, coming from two sets to one down to beat the 15th seed 6-2 in the deciding set, was one of the bigger surprises of the tournament so far.

However he has the double disadvantage against Djokovic, who looks to be on the way out of the slump he has been in since Wimbledon last year, of having forewarned his opponent, while having been around the circuit long enough that the second seed knows exactly what to expect.

Like Federer and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic has yet to drop a set in the tournament and while he was broken early during his third round meeting with Ernests Gulbis, he adjusted quickly against an opponent with a much superior reputation as a singles player to Mannarino.

“It's going to be a different matchup,” he said.

“Ernests Gulbis is someone that is very unpredictable and has a huge serve, with that kind of game, very powerful, fast game from back of the court. It's not easy to play against him on this surface.

“I'm really pleased that I managed to win in straight sets against him, especially in the third set where he started serving better, higher percentage of first serves.

“He kind of gave it a last shot. I thought he played a good quality tennis. But I managed to hang on with him and play a very good tiebreak.

“I think that only can boost my confidence level for whatever is coming up next.”

He expressed respect for Mannarino, however.

“He is in a good form. I am, too. Hopefully I'll be able to continue playing this well consistently.

“He's lefty. He has a good slice serve and just a very tricky game.

“I think his game is very, very suitable for this kind of surface.

“You’ve got to give him credit, but the matches are only going to get tougher as the tournament progresses.”