LONDON-- Novak Djokovic survived a minor scare in his hunt for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon trophy before Iga Swiatek produced a more efficient performance to reach the third round on a sunny Thursday at the year's third Grand Slam.

All eyes were on two-times singles champion Andy Murray as he arrived on Centre Court to play doubles alongside older brother Jamie in his final Wimbledon, after several fellow Britons were given the spotlight earlier in the day.

One of them, 277th-ranked Jacob Fearnley, pushed Djokovic hard before the 37-year-old Serb moved into the next round with a 6-3 6-4 5-7 7-5 victory.

Djokovic said he was still not a 100% after having minor surgery on his right knee following an injury at last month's French Open.

"I do feel that has an impact on my movement a little bit in terms of the speed," said Djokovic, who is bidding to equal the Wimbledon tally of Roger Federer and also win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

"It's not yet there where I want it to be. I'm 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.

"The earlier rounds are where I'm still a little bit rusty on the movement. That's what I felt today, at least."

Top seed Swiatek, fresh from her Roland Garros success, beat Croatian Petra Martic 6-4 6-3 to remain on course for her maiden Wimbledon triumph.

Swiatek's Polish compatriot and seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz did not have a good day, however, becoming the third men's top-eight player to exit when he retired from his clash against Frenchman Arthur Fils with a knee injury.

Britain's big day at Wimbledon did not begin in the most convincing fashion as wildcard Lily Miyazaki was thumped 6-0 6-0 by Russia's Daria Kasatkina.

Cameron Norrie later beat British number one Jack Draper 7-6(3) 6-4 7-6(6) while Harriet Dart and Katie Boulter provided the entertainment in another showdown between local favourites.

Dart prevailed 4-6 6-1 7-6(8) in the thriller to set up a meeting with China's Wang Xinyu, who stunned American fifth seed Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-7(9) 6-1.

It was not all gloom for the U.S. on their Independence Day as Danielle Collins beat Dalma Galfi 6-3 6-4 while 14th seed Ben Shelton outlasted Lloyd Harris 4-6 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(7).

 MUNICH, Germany--After a week of brow beating, hand wringing and introspection, the Netherlands emerged from defeat in their last group game to give a vivid display of their potential on Tuesday in booking a quarter-final place at the European Championship. The one-sided nature of their 3-0 win over Romania in the round of 16 at the Munich  Football Arena was sparkling Dutch football at its best – save for multiple misses in front of goal that might have ensured a more emphatic winning margin. Cody Gakpo scored his third goal of the European Championship and substitute Donyell Malen added two more after coming on late in the game. . But it was a marked improvement from the group stage where they staggered into the knockout rounds in third place and spent several days in sessions of self-criticism and clearing the air discussions with one another after losing 3-2 to Austria. Plain speaking is a Dutch trait and even the junior members of the squad are encouraged to voice their opinion. Whether all the frank discourse was the catalyst for the champagne showing is debatable because Romania offered only 10 minutes of high pressing pressure at the start of the game and not much more thereafter. But whatever the quality of the opponents, the confidence boost the Dutch will get from the last-16 win will serve them well for Saturday's quarter-final in Berlin. Noticeable was how they quickened the pace of their passing, how committed they were to winning the second balls and how effectively they drove down the wings or through the centre. Cody Gakpo's performances for Liverpool in the Premier League might have been a mixed bag but he is fast emerging as a real star for the national team. His goals for the Netherlands are proving invaluable. The 25-year-old got three at the last World Cup in Qatar, where the Dutch reached the last eight before losing to eventual winners Argentina on penalties and now has three at this tournament too. His total is 12 goals in 28 internationals. It is on the left side of the attack that Gakpo is most dangerous, particularly his ability to cut in and shoot, and he is beginning to evoke comparisons with Arjen Robben. The 21-year-old Xavi Simons is also fast developing into a vital link player with an aggression belying his small frame. They, and the rest of a sharp-looking Dutch side, will now have a bounce in their step as they look forward to the weekend. There is no need for any more critical contemplation. Slow start The Dutch started slowly at the Munich Football Arena as underdogs Romania -- roared on by their yellow-clad supporters -- controlled the ball for the first quarter of an hour before the Netherlands slowly started to get a grip on the match. They broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when player of the match Gakpo fired low past Florin Nita at the keeper's near post before Malen's late double clinched a quarter-final with Austria or Turkey, who play later on Tuesday, in Berlin on Saturday. "This was the answer we had to our last performance - good game, good goals, we played good football," Gakpo said. "Of course we could do better but a good showing after the last game. A good step in that next direction. We felt we were in control even though they were a dangerous opponent." Gakpo was a menace all night and turned provider for Malen's first goal in the 83rd minute when he kept the ball in play on the touchline and knocked it across the box for an easy tap in. Malen, who is the first Netherlands player to score in a Euro knockout match as a substitute, notched his second in stoppage time when he collected the ball in midfield, dribbled into the penalty area and fired past Nita as the Dutch served notice that they have started to click at the tournament. Romania, who were forced into a first half substitution when Bogdan Racovitan came on in defence for Vasile Mogosafter a collision, created few chances and never looked a serious threat as the Dutch controlled possession and waited to get forward. Romania manager Edward Iordanescu had said his side, who topped Group E with four points, would need a near perfect performance but his players lacked the crispness and counter-attacking threat they displayed earlier in the tournament. "We played well the first 15 to 20 minutes then their first goal came and it destabilised us to some extent," Romania defender Andrei Burca said. "We are disappointed, we wanted a lot from this match." The Netherlands had two thirds of possession and almost five times more chances with 24 attempts in the game to underline their superiority as Virgil van Dijk struck the post with a header and Gakpo had a second effort ruled out for offside.

  MUNICH, Germany- - Netherlands midfielder Joey Veerman was inches away from total redemption on Tuesday but a cameo appearance in the European Championship round of 16 victory over Romania in Munich still went a long way to restoring his reputation.

DUESSELDORF, Germany-- France got the better of Belgium once again, grabbing a late winner in a cagey contest on Monday to take a quarter-final place at the European Championship. But it was a victory without much conviction.

Randal Kolo Muani’s deflected effort keeps the pre-tournament favourites on course, but a major improvement is needed in front of goal if they are to clear the next hurdle. Kylian Mbappe showed several bursts of pace and turns of foot to remind the Belgians of their two previous losses to their neighbour, in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League. In one dazzling move on Monday he danced past Yannick Carrasco with such ease that the Belgian was left with a resigned look of bemusement on his face. But Mbappe’s wizardry was all too infrequent and more alarmingly for France, he fluffed a handful of chances in front of goal that he would ordinarily have buried without much effort. It could be he is still struggling with the mask he was wearing to protect his broken nose. Mbappe has made it clear he hates it but has to wear it as a necessary protection. The impact of the injury on his confidence remains evident, even if this was a second game after his comeback against Poland last week. Mbappe is not the only concern. Antoine Greizmann was brought back to play behind the two strikers but could not find the range on his attempts at incisive passes and is also lacking sharpness. These are key players for France and once their post-match celebrations are over, there will much concern among the coaches as they plan ahead for the last eight at the weekend. Initially, the majority of French efforts on the Belgian goal were long-range strikes from Aurelien Tchouameni, only one of which forced a save out of the goalkeeper. AMBITIOUS But ultimately France proved the more ambitious of the two teams and finally forced the breakthrough with five minutes left to play. UEFA decided to award the winner as an own goal against Jan Vertonghen, in a rather ignominious end to the 37-year-old’s international career, which started in 2007. That decision also means France still have not managed to score in open play in their four matches so far at Euro 2024, plus their last warm-up friendly against Canada in the build-up to the tournament. Les Bleus’ tally over the five games is three goals – two own goals and a penalty converted by Mbappe. Not the sort of statistics that inspire confidence.