Greg Garber, Senior Writer 9y

Djokovic too good on the big points

Tennis

LONDON -- Men's best-of-five Grand Slam tennis matches are usually grueling, grinding affairs.

But Tuesday's encounter between Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson on Court No. 1 was something completely different.

After four sets and more than three hours Monday, the two saw their fourth-round match suspended because of darkness. That reduced it to a single-set, winner-take-all affair that would be over in a whistling-fast 44 minutes.

It felt more like a UFC contest.

Serving first, Anderson hit three aces in the first game and, for the longest time, seemed unbreakable. Increasingly frustrated, Djokovic began talking to himself -- and anyone in the vicinity who would listen. There were a few screams, too.

But, ultimately, Djokovic mastered the moment. That is to say, himself.

There would be only one small opening -- like the bare spot on a mythological dragon's chest -- and Djokovic managed to exploit it. When Anderson, perhaps realizing he was on the cusp of a career breakthrough, double-faulted back-to-back, Djokovic broke him at 5-all and served out the match.

The final: 6-7 (6), 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-4, 7-5.

"Until the last point," Djokovic said, "I didn't know if I was going to win."

Thus, the No. 1 seed and defending champion escaped a two-set deficit for the fourth time in his career. Djokovic now has a date in Wednesday's quarterfinals with reigning US Open champion Marin Cilic. Don't expect this kind of drama; Djokovic has won all 12 of the matches between them.

"I find that this was one of the most difficult matches I've played at Wimbledon, and maybe in my career," Djokovic said in his off-the-court BBC interview immediately afterward. "I struggled with his serve and tried to use the opportunities on second serves. There wasn't many."

Nevertheless, Djokovic landed softly in a major quarterfinal for the 25th consecutive time. Only Roger Federer (36) and Jimmy Connors (27) have been more consistent at this elite level.

Anderson held two break points in the fourth game, but a running forehand sailed long and a potent Djokovic serve forced Anderson to hit a backhand long. Djokovic, with typically exquisite timing, converted his only break chance.

"He played the big points, really, really well," Anderson allowed. "He just keeps on coming, makes so many balls. A couple of times I hit [a serve] 120 [mph], and he hit it right back to me."

Said Djokovic: "Emotion is present always, going through ups and downs. It's particularly frustrating when you're playing someone who serves so well and you don't get many looks at a break.

"Sometimes it just good to scream and let it all out. That's how I work."

You have to feel for the No. 14-seeded Anderson, a genial 6-foot-8 South African. He had 40 aces, eight of them in the final set, and a staggering total of 71 winners. He knew he had to play aggressively against Djokovic and nearly pulled off one of the greatest upsets here since 2003, when Ivo Karlovic beat defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the opening round, or two years earlier, when a teenager from Switzerland named Federer stunned four-time defending champion Pete Sampras.

Anderson was seeking the first quarterfinal of his career in his 26th appearance but wound up with a footnote that may haunt him forever. Anderson is the first player in the Open era to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament seven times and fail to take the next step to the quarters. This was his first five-set loss after five consecutive triumphs in maximum-length matches.

"Obviously, [it's] very tough," Anderson said. "I think quite a few mixed emotions. Obviously there's a lot of positives to take from that. I think I gave myself a really good shot.

"On the flip side, I was disappointed. My goal was to progress further at the Slam than I have. I came a lot closer than I have in the past."

Djokovic, meanwhile, is looking for his third Wimbledon title, which would equal that of his coach, Boris Becker.

"That was high-quality tennis," Djokovic said. "I was two sets down, so to win in five set definitely gives me great satisfaction and confidence.

"It was frustrating at times, but I managed to go through, and that's what matters."

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