That’s all for now. The men’s quarter-final field is now set and play will resume Wednesday. Here’s a look at the matchups ahead:
- No1 Novak Djokovic v No9 Marin Cilic
- No4 Stan Wawrinka v No21 Richard Gasquet
- Vasek Pospisil v No3 Andy Murray
- No12 Gilles Simon v No2 Roger Federer
A dubious distinction for Kevin Anderson. He’s now the first player in Open era history to reach the round of 16 seven times and never make the quarter-finals.
“It’s not something we commonly experience on a daily basis, but again it is what it is,” says Djokovic of the unusual circumstances. “I really congratulate Kevin for a great effort. He wouldn’t have been undeserved if he’d won this match.”
Novak Djokovic wins 6-7(6), 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4, 6-4!
Fifth set: Djokovic 6-4 Anderson
Anderson pounces on a 89mph second serve from Djokovic and the world No1 nets a forehand. Another strong return from Anderson and Djokovic commits another error to go down 0-30 on his serve. The crowd is really buzzing now. A wonderfully struck forehand from Djokovic down to the baseline makes it 15-30. A second serve into Anderson’s body and he hits the backhand long to bring it to 30-30. Two points from the last eight. Another misfired first serve from Djokovic, but Anderson mishits badly on Novak’s second effort. Match point for Djokovic. It ends on a backhand error by Anderson, who can’t put it past and onrushing Djokovic into the court.
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Djokovic breaks!
Fifth set: *Djokovic 6-5 Anderson (*denotes next server)
A violently struck 125mph serve that won’t be called an ace since it flicked Djokovic’s racket. Extended rally at 15-0 ends when Anderson hits a running forehand into the net. A glimmer of hope for Djokovic at 15-15? Then a double fault for Anderson – what disastrous timing! – and a real chance for Djokovic for the crucial break at 15-30. Now another double fault from Anderson, who challenges the second serve out of desperation but it’s confirmed. Two break-point chances for Djokovic here. Anderson serving at 15-40 but Djokovic anticipates brilliantly, firing a blistering return. Anderson nets the forehand volley and Djokovic turns to his box and lets out a barbaric yawp. That could be the decisive moment! Novak to serve for a place in the quarters.
Fifth set: Djokovic 5-5 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
The sun is out, the wind is gone. At 15-0, a brilliant backhand winner from Djokovic. Then an even-more-brilliant backhand winner on the run to set up three game points. He’ll need only one thanks to a 118mph ace to lock down the hold at love.
Fifth set: *Djokovic 4-5 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson with a 135mph ace followed by a vicious backhand winner down the line. At 30-0, Anderson faults then makes an error on the subsequent Djokovic return. He responds with a 130mph ace, his 40th of the match. Then an unreturnable serve on game point to give Anderson the hold. The South African has lost just four points on his serve throughout the fifth set.
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Fifth set: Djokovic 4-4 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
A Djokovic serve into Anderson’s body that he manages to return but giving the Serb a perfect look for a forehand winner into the corner. Anderson hits a slice backhand into the net and it’s 30-0. Excellent service return by Anderson, but it’s nullified by another error and Djokovic has three game points. Then Anderson tries for a big forehand but misses badly and caroms off the frame into the crowd behind Djokovic. A hold at love.
Fifth set: *Djokovic 3-4 Anderson (*denotes next server)
A 101mph second serve troubles Djokovic and he returns it into the net. Then a 130mph ace down the T that Djokovic doesn’t even attempt to return. Novak tries to go cross-court with a forehand service returns but hits it wide. Then at 40-0, a 131mph serve into Djokovic’s body that jams him and sails harmlessly out. A hold at love. Anderson playing the best tennis of his life here.
Fifth set: Djokovic 3-3 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic’s serve locked in here as Anderson quickly falls behind 30-0, but then the Serb misses a forehand that looked to be an easy winner and it’s 30-15. Then possibly the point of the match thus far as Djokovic and Anderson engage in a 20-stroke rally that runs both players from wing to wing. It ends with Novak netting a forehand and it’s 30-30. An Anderson error gives Djokovic game point. Rain starting to sprinkle here on No1 Court. A long forehand from Djokovic brings it to deuce, but he survives thanks to a pair of Anderson misfires.
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Fifth set: *Djokovic 2-3 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson fires a 132mph ace. Then a 129mph serve that Djokovic somehow manages to return, but only to the center of the court where Anderson easily puts it away into the open court. Same thing at 30-0 – an easy overhand smash for the South African – followed by a 129mph ace to secure the hold at love.
Fifth set: Djokovic 2-2 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
A double fault by Djokovic to open the game capped by a misfired 92mph second serve. An error by Novak gives Anderson 0-30 on Djokovic’s serve. Then Novak faults and Anderson will get a look at Djokovic’s second serve again ... but Anderson pushes a forehand long and it’s 15-30. Now Djokovic commits another unforced error during and extended rally and Anderson will have two break-point chances. A mid-length rally from the baseline but it’s Anderson who blinks first with a forehand long. 30-40. Now another baseline rally that ends the same way, with a forehand pushed long (which he challenges unsuccessfully). A 108mph ace for Djokovic and from two break points down he’s now got a game point. Another forehand error from Anderson and Djokovic has the hold.
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Fifth set: *Djokovic 1-2 Anderson (*denotes next server)
At 15-15 after a missed Anderson forehand, he uncorks a 134mph ace. Then a service winner off a 131mph serve to the backhand side to make it 40-15. On the next point Djokovic makes a brilliant return and Anderson nets the volley. Another unforced error from the forehand side by Anderson brings it to deuce. Feels like a prime opportunity for Djokovic. Then Anderson apparently double-faults, but challenges successfully! That sets up a service winner off a 135mph serve. Bit of a nervy hold there but they remain on serve.
Fifth set: Djokovic 1-1 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
An equally emphatic service game from Djokovic. An ace followed by a series of service winners. Notably, at 40-0 Anderson is drawn into an extended baseline rally that he ends with a powerful forehand winner, but still a dominant game from the world No1.
Fifth set: *Djokovic 0-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
What a start from Anderson: 136mph ace (matching his fastest of the match), then a 130mph ace, then a backhand volley winner, then a 128mph ace. A hold at love.
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Take two! The sun is out and the players are back on court having a hit. Not much longer now.
A good sign. The referee’s office announces that the Met Office has relayed the current showers should be brief and the covers are expected to be removed from the courts in the next 10 minutes.
And just now it’s started raining again. Oh dear. Umbrellas out. This seems like it could be a heavy one. A large black cloud overhead. Djokovic putting his coat back on.
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The players have just emerged from the tunnel onto No1 Court, which is nearly full to capacity. Who do we favor here? Djokovic looked outgunned through the first two sets, flummoxed by Anderson’s lights-out serving and high-risk tennis. But he raised his level over the third and fourth as Anderson’s confidence waned and it looked as if the momentum had clearly – and irretrievably – shifted in his favor. In light of that, you’ve got to figure the suspension favors Anderson if only slightly. Would he have taken a one-set lightning round against Djokovic for a spot in the quarters if it had been on offer this time yesterday? I’d have to think so.
Welcome back to No1 Court, where we’ve just dodged a meteorological bullet. The forecasted rain appeared to arrive a few hours early, with umbrellas going up throughout the grounds. But it passed as quickly as it arrived and the tarp is just now being dragged off the court. The fifth set between Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson should begin on schedule.
Bryan will be back shortly to take you through the remainder of this dramatic match. In the meantime here is Hugh Muir’s report of what happened on Monday night:
The world No1, Novak Djokovic, resumes his quest for a place in the quarter-finals on Tuesday having survived a near-death experience in a titanic struggle with the South African Kevin Anderson.
That he lives to fight another day is an outcome that might not have occurred to him in the first two sets, both of which he lost in tie-breaks with the big hittingg, seemingly impregnable No14 seed. Anderson had his day of days, routinely firing down pinpoint serves of 130mph and sending Djokovic scurrying in the relative few rallies.
The agony went on for two hours, until Djokovic, two down and staring into the abyss, galvanised himself. Simultaneously Anderson seemed to lose an inkling of energy and a modicum of belief. By the time bad light stopped play at 9pm, Djokovic had secured two quick sets and had his rescue mission on track. But he will have seen enough to have no certainty about what happens when the two men settle the matter on Tuesday.
Read the full report here
The match will be suspended due to bad light!
With Centre Court currently being broken down, it seemed unlikely this match would be completed tonight. The chair umpire has just made the announcement everyone expected: the match has been suspended due to lack of light. They’ll pick it back up tomorrow with one set to determine who advances to face US Open champion Marin Cilic in the last eight.
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Novak Djokovic wins the fourth set!
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-4 Anderson
A 112mph service winner gives Anderson the early edge, but Djokovic nets a forehand on the next point to make it 15-15. Another service winner makes it 30-15, and a misfired forehand on the following point gives Djokovic a pair of set points as the clock strikes 9pm. A stupidly athletic cross-court winner on the run gives Djokovic the set and we’re heading to a fifth set. But when?
Fourth set: *Djokovic 5-4 Anderson (*denotes next server)
A service winner followed by an ace give Anderson a 30-0 lead. Djokovic pounces on a 110mph second serve and scores with the backhand winner, but Anderson responds with a 132mph ace to make it 40-15. Then a 140mph would-be ace that’s called – and confirmed – out. Extended rally at 40-15 ends when Anderson somehow curls a forehand passing shot into the corner. How about that! Djokovic will now serve to force a fifth set. Deafening cheers on No1 court during the changeover.
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Fourth set: Djokovic 5-3 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Another emphatic hold from Djokovic, who’s moves ahead 40-0 after a winner down the line followed by a service winner. That’s 13 straight points for Djokovic on his serve. An error makes it 40-15, but he closes it out on the next point. Light disappearing by the minute here.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 4-3 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson serving with not quite the consistency of the previous sets, but it’s still been the equalizer. Moves ahead 30-0 then 40-15 with a series of service winners, then dials in another ace to secure the hold. Chair umpire Carlos Bernardes now on phone during changeover, presumably with tournament officials regarding the fate of this match once last light disappears. Will it continue tomorrow on No1 Court on tonight under the Centre Court lights?
Fourth set: Djokovic 4-2 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Another hold at love for Novak. That’s 10 straight points on Djokovic’s serve.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 3-2 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson darts ahead 30-0 on a service winner followed by a lunging volley that Djokovic hardly gets a racket on. A Djokovic shot into the net off an Anderson half-volley makes it 40-0, then yet another booming serve gives the South African the hold.
Fourth set: Djokovic 3-1 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic, cruising, holds at love.
Djokovic breaks!
Fourth set: *Djokovic 2-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
At 15-0, a rare serve and volley from Anderson – and it backfires. The error makes it 15-15, then a Djokovic misfire with a wide-open court before him makes it 30-15. A pair of errors gives Djokovic a break-point chance at 30-40, but a big serve bails him out once again. At deuce, Djokovic steps up on Anderson’s second serve and attacks his forehand, earning a second break opportunity. Extraordinary return winner from Djokovic locks down the break of serve and Boris Becker, Novak’s coach, is first to his feet in the box.
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Fourth set: Djokovic 1-1 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
At 15-15, a well-struck forehand forces Djokovic into a forced error and gives Anderson a glimmer of hope for a break. Winner from Novak makes it 30-30. And just when Anderson looks as if he’ll stake a break-point chance with a brilliant return, Djokovic conjures a stroke of magic with a passing shot that gives him game point. Another toe-to-toe baseline rally at 40-30 and it’s Anderson who gets the best of it as Novak nets a forehand. Deuce. High-risk cross-court shot into the corner from Anderson is called out but he challenges it – unsuccessfully – and Djokovic has game point. Another risky forehand winner from Anderson brings it back to deuce. Djokovic wins the next point, but hits the netcord a millimeter too low and it’s at deuce again. Novak stakes another game point with a winner, then secures the hold with an ace.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 0-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
It seems to be coming a bit unraveled here for Anderson, who nets an easy backhand from the middle of the court to fall behind 0-15. He rattles off three straight points to move within a point of the game at 40-15, but commits his sixth double fault of the match followed by a forehand error to bring it to deuce. A 135mph ace – Anderson’s 27th – and a service winner give the South African the hold.
Novak Djokovic wins the third set!
Third set: Djokovic 6-1 Anderson
At 30-15, Djokovic sets up a winning volley with a blistering forehand into the corner, constructing the point with the tactics of a chess grandmaster. An error by Anderson and Djokovic takes the set in a comparatively svelte 24 minutes.
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Djokovic breaks!
Third set: *Djokovic 5-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
A wild butterfly-shaped rally ends with Djokovic ripping a cross-court winner into the corner to stake an 0-15 edge. Then a double fault and unforced error by Anderson give Djokovic triple break point at 0-40. The South African saves the first, but Djokovic makes the most of the second with a volley winner. He’ll serve for the third set at 5-1.
Third set: Djokovic 4-1 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Another precise forehand winner down the line from Anderson puts Djokovic in an 0-15 hole, but a pair of service winners lift Novak back ahead at 30-15. Djokovic really running Anderson ragged here with shots into the corners. Another service winner vaults Djokovic to a 4-1 edge.
Third set: *Djokovic 3-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Serving at 30-15, Anderson is forced into another forehand error thanks to an athletic Djokovic return. A 122mph ace gives Anderson a game point at 40-30 and he closes it out with a forehand winner down the line.
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Third set: Djokovic 3-0 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic consolidates the break with an easy hold at love. Sun descending quickly here on No1 Court. Probably won’t be much longer before this match is forced to move beneath the Centre Court lights for completion as happened with Simon v Monfils on Saturday.
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Djokovic breaks!
Third set: *Djokovic 2-0 Anderson (*denotes next server)
At 15-15, Anderson uncorks yet another ace, his 23rd of the match. Djokovic wins the next point to make it 30-30, then watches as an Anderson unforced error gives Novak just his third break-point chance of the match. Another error and Djokovic earns the sorely needed early break. Could that be the spark he needs to reverse the tide?
Third set: Djokovic 1-0 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Even the “easy” holds are tough going for Djokovic, but Novak manages to hold thanks to a vicious forehand winner at 40-30. For what it’s worth, Djokovic’s career five-set record is 24-8 (compared to 9-5 for Anderson). That includes three victories from two sets down.
Kevin Anderson wins the second set!
Second set: Djokovic 6-7 (6-8) Anderson
Djokovic goes ahead a quick mini-break, then 2-0 when Anderson nets a forehand and 3-0 when he misfires on a rally. Djokovic smiling now and the crowd erupts between points. Finally looking outwardly confident. Scary stuff for Anderson. Now the South African, being made to move more than he’s done in recent points, misjudges an overhead volley and nets it to fall behind 0-4 and two mini-breaks. Anderson holds his next serve then earns one back from Djokovic, who is serving at 4-2. Misfired forehand from Anderson gives the underdog a pair of serves at 2-5. No margin for error here. Wallops the first one wide for an ace, then the second down the T for the same outcome. Djokovic serving at 5-4, but Anderson rushes the net and manages to wrest the mini-break back with a lunging touch volley off a Djokovic backhand pass! Brilliant stuff! At 5-5, Djokovic slots a winner to go ahead 6-5 and stake a set point. But Anderson promptly erases it with a 133mph ace – his 21st through less than two full sets – and will serve at 6-6. An Anderson forehand pushes Djokovic wide and he nets the return, a forced error that gives Anderson another set point with Novak serving at 6-7. Anderson with a backhand volley to win the tiebreak, rallying from 2-5 down to win 8-6. Amazing.
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Second set: Djokovic 6-6 Anderson
Service winner from Djokovic to make it 15-0, but Anderson pulls level with an excellent forehand that forces Novak into an error. Then another baseline rally that ends when Anderson nets a forehand to go down 30-15. A Djokovic error from the baseline off a netcord followed by another Novak error makes it 30-40. A break-point chance for Anderson with Djokovic in danger of going two sets down. Djokovic saves it with a service winner to bring it to deuce. Long baseline rally ends when Anderson forces Djokovic into a lunging return and smashes the weak return home. A second break and set point for Anderson, but he saves it with another service winner. Two more hefty winners and it’s game to Djokovic. Next stop: second-set tiebreaker.
Second set: *Djokovic 5-6 Anderson (*denotes next server)
At 15-0, Djokovic steps into an Anderson second serve, but winds up netting a shot to fall behind 30-0. Anderson’s 18th ace, a 120mph thunderbolt, makes it 40-0. Some clever shotmaking from Djokovic who claws back into the game with a pair of points, but a volley winner from Anderson secures the hold. Novak will now serve to force a second-set tiebreak.
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Second set: Djokovic 5-5 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic races ahead to a 30-0 lead on his serve, then sets up three game points with a touch volley at the net with Anderson still mired behind the baseline. Backhand error for Novak makes it 40-15, but he wins the next point to keep in step with the surging South African.
Second set: *Djokovic 4-5 Anderson (*denotes next server)
More intimidating service from Anderson, who dials in his 16th ace of the day to make it 30-15. Djokovic misses a cross-court forehand by a few inches to go behind 40-15, then nets a return to give Anderson the hold. Notably, Anderson is winning an increasing number of these backcourt rallies Djokovic is so famous for owning. Now he’s improbably within a game of taking a two-sets-to-none lead over the world No1.
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Second set: Djokovic 4-4 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Consecutive service winners from Djokovic make it 30-0, then Anderson makes an error after a mid-length rally. It all spells another drama-free hold for Djokovic, who’s been mostly lights out on his serve today.
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Second set: *Djokovic 3-4 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Three quick points for Anderson. Djokovic fights his way back into it briefly to make it 40-15, but another nasty Anderson ace gives him the game. Who will blink here?
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Second set: Djokovic 3-3 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic: service winner, ace, service winner to stake a 40-0 edge. Then closes it out for a clinical hold. Far more easier than the last.
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Djokovic breaks!
Second set: *Djokovic 2-3 Anderson (*denotes next server)
The start of another emphatic service game from Anderson finds him staking a quick 40-15 edge. And just when it looks like Anderson is on his way to a perfunctory hold, Djokovic uncorks a near-miraculous return winner on a thunderous serve out wide to cut it to 40-30. Then Anderson, heretofore seemingly impervious to nerves, throws in a double fault to bring it to deuce. An unforced error by Djokovic on a long forehand gives Anderson another game point, but he saves it by jamming Anderson on a rally. That’s all the sliver of daylight Djokovic needs. He rattles off three straight points to earn his first break of the match – and it could hardly have come at a more opportune juncture.
Anderson breaks!
Second set: Djokovic 1-3 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Quick point for Anderson followed by a booming forehand winner by the South African to put Djokovic in a 0-30 hole. Djokovic makes it 15-30 with a running backhand winner, but he faults on the ensuing serve and Anderson jumps on the second effort to shorten the point and set up a pair of break-point chances at 15-40. Service winner for Djokovic saves the first, but a perfectly placed inside-out forehand pushes Novak far wide, giving Anderson an easy open-court volley to secure the first break of the match. Can Anderson back it up here?
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Second set: *Djokovic 1-2 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson slips into a 15-30 hole with an unforced error on the backhand side, but jams Djokovic again on the second serve – we’re detecting a theme here – to move it to 30-30. Another second serve – this time 120mph! – opens a rally that he emphatically closes with a punishing forehand winner into the corner. But an unforced error by Anderson at 40-30 brings it to deuce. Once again it’s the serve that bails Anderson out: two quick points lock down the hold. Djokovic looking concerned if not discouraged during the changeover as the shadows lengthen over No1 Court. Anderson has won 86% of the points on his first serve today, compared to 76% for Djokovic.
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Second set: Djokovic 1-1 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Anderson digs in on a Djokovic second serve and ends up hitting a deep winner that Djokovic challenges unsuccessfully. Djokovic levels the score with a winner of his own on the next point and rattles off three quick points to earn the hold.
Second set: *Djokovic 0-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson’s serve giving Djokovic heaps of trouble here. He needs just five points to wrap up the hold. How will the world No1 respond here?
Kevin Anderson wins the first set!
First set: Djokovic 6-7 (6-8) Anderson
Anderson goes a mini-break up on the first point. He nearly goes ahead 2-0, but opts to leave a volley opportunity that Djokovic manages to return into the corner at full stretch. Then Djokovic does it again, a nearly identical replay of the previous point to go ahead 2-1 and a mini-break. With Djokovic serving at 2-2, he nets a backhand and they’re back on even terms. Anderson piped in an ace to make it 3-3 heading into the changeover. On the next point Anderson misses on a 124mph serve (and subsequent challenge) but jams Djokovic on the second serve to keep pace. Djokovic wins a short rally when Anderson nets a two-handed backhand, making it 4-4. An unforced error by Anderson and he’ll serve at 4-5. Novak can’t return Anderson’s booming 131mph serve out wide, nor can he handle an Anderson service winner. Now Djokovic will serve at 5-6, a set point for the South African. Emphatic service winner makes it 6-6 and they’ll change ends. And then a double fault by Djokovic! Now Anderson will have a second set point, this time on his serve. He dials it out wide and it’s another thunderous ace, Anderson’s seventh of the match, to lock down the first set and put the world No1 on the back heel.
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First set: Djokovic 6-6 Anderson
Anderson serving to stay in the set. Three quick points capped by a 136mph ace to set up three game points. Djokovic saves the first, then the second when he lures Anderson into one of those toe-to-toe baseline rallies he’ll get the best of more often than not. But he can’t save the first and we’re heading to a first-set tiebreak.
First set: Djokovic 6-5 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Serving at 30-15, Anderson plays a short shot that forces Djokovic forward, where he mishits a running forehand that lands long. Novak hits a winner to set up game point, but Anderson hits one of his own to make it 40-40. Another Djokovic ace sets up game point, where a framed forehand from the baseline gifts the hold to the Serb.
First set: *Djokovic 5-5 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson falls behind 0-30 and within two points of dropping the set, but consecutive aces of 136mph and 135mph pull him back level at 30-30. Two more service winners give Anderson the game. Dominant serving from both men early, not to mention impressive nerve from Anderson to rally from 0-30 holes in his past two service games. Average speed of Anderson’s second serve thus far: 115 mph.
First set: Djokovic 5-4 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
A well-played drop volley by Anderson on a shrewd net approach puts Djokovic in a quick 0-15 hold. Djokovic responds with a vicious forehand winner that’s called in, but Anderson successfully challenges to make it 0-30. Djokovic’s serve wins him a pair of quick points to level it at 30-30, then back-to-back service winners turn what might have been a dangerous patch for Novak into a cakewalk. Still on serve in the first.
First set: *Djokovic 4-4 Anderson (*denotes next server)
New balls for the big-serving Anderson, but after missing on a 136mph opener he commits a double fault on the first point. Then another on the second to make it 0-30. Uh-oh. He finds his way back into the game with a booming 133mph ace, then a second serve directly into Djokovic body that he can’t get a racket on. Serving at 30-30, Anderson caps a short rally by whipping a forehand winner into the corner, then secures the hold when Djokovic puts a bit too much on a forehand that sails inches wide. A nice recovery from 0-30 down.
First set: Djokovic 4-3 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Another easy hold for the world No1, who stakes a 40-0 edge, coughs up an error, then slots in a service winner for the hold. Novak’s serve is just dialed in today. Anderson no doubt feeling his way into the match and looking slightly more comfortable, but a tall order lies ahead.
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First set: *Djokovic 3-3 Anderson (*denotes next server)
At 15-0, Anderson badly frames a forehand. But the South African responds with three emphatic service winners, the last on a 123mph second serve, to earn the hold. Still on serve in the opener.
First set: Djokovic 3-2 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Another rapid-fire hold for Djokovic, who is serving lights out. Even his second serve is giving Anderson trouble: at 40-15, a 96mph second effort leaves him flummoxed as Djokovic keeps pace.
First set: *Djokovic 2-2 Anderson (*denotes next server)
A relatively drama-free hold for Anderson, with the only point conceded when the South African failed to get his first serve in. That certainly will be key as this match continues to unfold.
First set: Djokovic 2-1 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is serving at 15-0, but Anderson wins two quick points – his first on the Serb’s serve – to make it 15-30. Another misstep makes it 15-40 and suddenly Anderson has two break-point chances. Djokovic comes to the net on the first and shortens the rally with an volley winner to the open court. At 30-40, a Djokovic cross-court shot looks a tad long, but the point continues and Anderson nets a forehand to get to deuce. Another unforced error by Anderson give Djokovic game point, followed by an ace out wide to lock down the hold.
First set: *Djokovic 1-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson serves out wide but Djokovic gets a racket on it and Anderson coughs up an unforced error into the net. Anderson wins the next point on a short rally then dials in a 120mph ace. Serving at 30-15, Anderson’s first serve is 139mph (!) but out, then an extended rally in which Anderson misses a would-be winner on a backhand volley makes it 30-30. Djokovic wins the next point to earn his first break-point chance, but Anderson wins three straight points – including a 136mph ace – to secure the hold.
First set: Djokovic 1-0 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Well, that was quick. Three straight aces followed by a service winner as Djokovic gets on the board with the easiest of holds.
Welcome to No1 Court, where Stan Wawrinka has just dispensed of David Goffin in three rather tight sets to book a place in the quarterfinals. Due up shortly is top-seeded Novak Djokovic, who will be taking on South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, the world No14, with a spot in the last eight at stake.
The defending Wimbledon champion is bidding to reach the quarterfinals for an incredible 25th consecutive major tournament – the third longest streak in the Open era after Roger Federer (36) and Jimmy Connors (25). He encountered little resistance in the opening week, cruising past Philipp Kohlschreiber (6-4, 6-4, 6-4), Jarkko Nieminen (6-4, 6-2, 6-3) and No27 seed Bernard Tomic (6-3, 6-3, 6-3) to get here.
Anderson, who has reached the fourth round at a Grand Slam on six previous occasions, is looking to make the quarters at a major for the first time in 26 appearances. No player has ever made the round of 16 seven times and never gone on to reach the quarters, but given Djokovic’s extraordinary form – and 44-3 record this season – the oddsmakers would say there’s a strong chance Anderson makes a bit of dubious history today.
The players are currently warming up and we should be underway in the next three minutes.
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Hello. Bryan will be here soon, as the world No1 enters the fray on an action-packed day at Wimbledon. There have been ten top-ten players in action across the men’s and women’s draws today, but none have made headlines quite like Nick Kyrgios:
He got a code violation for swearing. He hugged a ball boy. He raged at “external bullshit”. He rowed with the umpire over whether he was taking too long to change his socks. He hurled his racket 10ft into the air. He looked at one stage as though he would repeat last year’s feat against exactly the same opponent at Wimbledon and pull off an extraordinary comeback.
But having blazed through this tournament like a petulant if supernaturally gifted toddler Nick Kyrgios took his leave on No2 Court, defeated by Richard Gasquet following a ding-dong battle full of tension and tantrums.
Read more from Owen Gibson here.
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