Novak's epic comeback

Defending champion Novak Djokovic survived a barrage from big-hitting Kevin Anderson to reach his seventh successive Wimbledon quarterfinal on Tuesday.

The top seed came from behind to win 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (6/8), 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 in a last-16 tie suspended due to bad light on Monday at the end of the fourth set.

The Serb, who has now reached 25 Grand Slam quarterfinals in a row, goes on to face Croatia's US Open champion Marin Cilic for a place in the semifinals.

Cilic, 26, lost to Djokovic in five sets in the quarterfinals in 2014 despite being two sets to one ahead.

He then went on to win a maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in September.

"I know him very well. We played many, many matches on different surfaces," said Djokovic after reaching his seventh successive Wimbledon quarterfinal and 25th in a row at the majors with a 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (6/8), 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 win over Kevin Anderson of South Africa.

Djokovic will be the overwhelming favourite for that match on Wednesday -- he leads their head-to-head 12-0.

Anderson, the South African 14th seed, fired 40 aces and 71 winners but committed 41 unforced errors.

Djokovic crashed 43 winners past his opponent but hit just 19 unforced errors.

"I think Kevin served exceptionally well. I found it one of the most difficult matches I've played in my Wimbledon career. At times I was really helpless with my returns. He was very aggressive," said Djokovic.

"I thought it was high-quality tennis in the fifth set.

"I was two sets down. To come back and win in five gives me great satisfaction and confidence for the next challenge."

After their match was suspended due to fading light on Monday, it was the 29-year-old Anderson who was the more aggressive first up Tuesday.

Under damp, overcast skies on Court One, Djokovic had to save two break points in the fourth game.

But Anderson eventually paid a heavy price for his all-or-nothing approach as he tried to break through into a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time in 26 attempts.

Serena Williams survived a scare to book a Wimbledon semifinal showdown with old rival Maria Sharapova as the world number one battled back to defeat Victoria Azarenka 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Maria Sharapova battled into her first Wimbledon semifinal since 2011 with a 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2 victory over unseeded American Coco Vandeweghe.

Agnieszka Radwanska set up a Wimbledon semifinal clash with Spain's Garbine Muguruza after the Polish 13th seed defeated Madison Keys 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-3.

Muguruza reached her first Wimbledon semifinal with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Timea Bacsinszky.