Tuesday 7 July 2015 19:49, UK
Defending champion Novak Djokovic moved into the Wimbledon quarter-finals after a delayed five-set win over Kevin Anderson.
The world No 1 fought from two sets down to even the match on Monday before bad light called a halt to proceedings on Court One but he took the fifth set 7-5 in another evenly-matched contest.
He faced two break points early in the deciding set with Anderson looking refreshed following a night’s rest.
But Djokovic held on, with the 14th seed failing to strike, and it was a big opportunity spurned as his big serve let him down at the crucial moment.
Two double faults in a row by Anderson at 5-5 provided two break points for the defending champion.
He only needed one, returning Anderson’s next serve right to the South African’s feet who could only volley into the net.
Anderson raced into a 0-30 lead with Djokovic serving for the match, but last year’s Wimbledon champion again showed his mettle to come through as a backhand from Anderson on match point floated beyond the baseline to wrap things up.
The top seed will play Marin Cilic of Croatia in the next round.
Djokovic said: "I think Kevin served exceptionally well. I found this was one of the most difficult matches I've played at Wimbledon maybe in my career.
"At times I was really helpless with my return. It was very difficult to read his serve. He was very aggressive.
"To come back and win in five definitely gives me great satisfaction and confidence for the next challenge.
"It was frustrating at times, especially today, but I managed to go through and that's all that matters.
"I congratulate Kevin for a great effort. It wouldn't have been undeserved if he'd won this match."
Anderson's defeat gave him an unwanted record as it means he has lost in the round of 16 seven times in a grand slam tournament without making the last eight, breaking the tie of six he shared with Joakim Nystrom who also lost six times in the fourth round of the majors before making the 1985 French Open quarter-finals.
"There's a lot of positives, being in a position two sets to love up," said the 29-year-old.
"Tennis is tough like that. But on the flip side, also disappointing. It was definitely my goal to progress further than I have at the slams. Been in the round of 16 a few times. Came a lot closer this time than I have in the past. But just wasn't close enough."
