Champion grateful after surviving five-set shoot-out against big-serving Anderson
Big-serving South African Anderson had taken the first two sets of the Court One clash on Monday evening before Djokovic battled back to level and force a deciding set, which fading light meant was held over until yesterday.
Djokovic experienced some nervy moments on the resumption, fending off break points, before sealing a 6-7 (6/8) 6-7 (6/8) 6-1 6-4 7-5 fourth-round success, breaking decisively in the 11th game as Anderson’s served faltered to complete his comeback.
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Djokovic, the champion in 2011 and again last year, 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.
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Hide Ad“To come back and win in five definitely gives me great satisfaction and confidence for the next challenge.
“It was frustrating at times, especially [yesterday], 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.”