Djokovic tames Hewitt in four-set thriller

LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) Novak Djokovic shrugged off a sore back to squeeze past former champion Lleyton Hewitt 7-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 and reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon for the first time today.

Just a month after reaching the Roland Garros semis, fourth seed Djokovic proved his grasscourt credentials in an electrifying fourth-round encounter on Court One.

In a tussle lasting more than four hours and full of gruelling rallies, lunging reaches and tossed rackets, Djokovic eventually broke the dogged resilience of Hewitt.

The Australian 16th seed's exit, his first before the quarter-final here since 2003, means that world number one Roger Federer is the only former champion left in the men's draw.

Djokovic will next face Cypriot 10th seed Marcos Baghdatis for a place in the semi-final.

REUTERS PDS HS2057