Novak Djokovic vs. Kevin Anderson: Score and Reaction from 2015 Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic confirmed his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a 6-7 (6), 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 win over Kevin Anderson on Tuesday.

The match ran across two days after poor light halted play on Monday, leaving the encounter on a knife-edge. They returned less than 24 hours later for a one-set shootout, and it was Djokovic who held his nerve.

Anderson hit unforced errors at crucial moments, knowing he needed to be aggressive against the world No. 1, and Djokovic took advantage to complete a remarkable comeback from two sets down.

Anderson began Tuesday's play with a terrific service game, firing two consecutive aces and a backhand volley to put the pressure on his rival.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Djokovic matched his opponent on serve, but Anderson received the first two break points with the score at 2-1. He failed to capitalise on both and was punished for two unforced errors as the match remained all square.

The South African brought up his 40th ace of the match as he established a 5-4 lead, once again placing the spotlight on Djokovic. However, the top seed showed no signs of nerves as he quickly made up the difference. Instead, Anderson began to waiver, eventually surrendering the all-important break for the first time since the restart.

Still there was fight in the underdog, who grabbed the first two points of the final game as Djokovic tried to serve it out at 6-5. But Djokovic stayed cool and rushed the net on match point, forcing his opponent to over-hit as he racked up the win, highlighted by the tournament's Twitter feed:

Djokovic summed up the battle he had just survived:

Anderson's big serve had been a huge factor throughout Monday's action, troubling Djokovic during the first two sets, but the top seed eventually found the secret to success early in the third. By stepping into the court more, he put tremendous pressure on the the 29-year-old, a tactic he used again once play resumed on Tuesday.

The Serb had to fight off several break points throughout the match and had no answer for Anderson's ace-hitting ability, highlighted by Ladbrokes when Anderson went one set up:

Djokovic started the second set with renewed energy and looked slightly better in his first service game, but he still couldn't find an answer to Anderson's serve. The result was another tiebreak, and another set for Anderson.

Just Sport had the perfect image for the situation:

Bleacher Report UK also started getting excited:

Of course, Djokovic didn't become world No. 1 by accident. After holding his serve in the opening game of the third, he immediately broke Anderson for the first time to change the momentum. The top seed switched gears and started playing some of his finest tennis, stepping into his returns for the first time all match.

As the light slowly began to fade on Monday, Djokovic raced through the third set, needing just 24 minutes to win 6-1, per BBC Sport. 

The Serb suddenly looked like his old self while Anderson struggled, and author Sue Cook used the turnaround as a perfect example of why it's a good thing Grand Slams still require the men to win three sets, not two:

Djokovic continued his comeback in the fourth, playing similar tennis and breaking Anderson's serve early again. The light started to fade fast, and event organisers decided to interrupt the match after the fourth set had ended with matters all square.

When they returned on Tuesday, it was Djokovic who eventually turned out the lights on Anderson's Wimbledon hopes for good.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

The victor was certainly far from his best, but the battling manner of his win will provide added confidence as the tournament continues. Few will test Djokovic from the serve like Anderson, who should be proud of his efforts.

It's Marin Cilic up next for Djokovic, who will now be looking to build on a real scare in front of the British crowd.