Former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova continued her 2013 campaign this evening with a third-round clash against 25th seed Ekaterina Makarova.
A lengthy rain delay halted play early on but Kvitova reacted quickest when the match resumed, claiming the first set with power and precision at the baseline.
Makarova produced a spirited response though, winning 11 successive games to take the second set in some style.
With Makarova up an early break in the deciding set a frustrating day's play was brought to a close prematurely, with bad light forcing the players off Court One just before 9.00pm.
Ahead of a fight to the finish tomorrow look back at topsy-turvy clash by reading Sports Mole's text coverage below.
Afternoon tennis fans! Sports Mole's comprehensive coverage from SW19 continues here with live text updates from the third-round clash between Petra Kvitova and Ekaterina Makarova.
This clash promises to be an intriguing clash between two of the few remaining seeds left in the bottom half of the women's singles draw. Former champion Kvitova is still looking to find form and fitness at the scene of her sole Grand Slam success to date.
Makarova represents a live threat for the 2011 champion today, with the left-hander definitely a player who has a game suited to grass courts. Quite surprisingly this is the 25th seed's first time in the third round, with the Russian possessing touch at the net honed as a regular doubles competitor.
With a whole of host seeds falling already this week the draw has really opened up for Kvitova. The eighth seed is the highest-ranked player left in the bottom half of the draw, making this a golden opportunity for the Czech to reach the latter stages again at SW19.
Both players are just finishing up their pre-match routines, with Makarova first to serve on Court One. I expect this match to be keenly competitive in the early stages, with Kvitova's class to tell in a three-set success.
Here we go then, with Makarova to get us underway. She immediately wins the opening point thanks to an early error from Kvitova, who sends a stray forehand wide at the baseline.
A solid effort from the Russian to hold serve in her opening service game, with Kvitova happy to ease her way in with a cautious start at the baseline.
BREAK POINT! I like the aggression from Makarova in the early going, stepping inside the baseline to smash home a forehand winner, with Kvitova unable to respond as an unforced error concedes break point. The Czech's strong first serve gets her of trouble though, crashing an ace up the middle to level at deuce.
Heavy hitting deep down the line gets the early hold for Kvitova, who had to recover quickly after a couple of sloppy points on serve.
A series of well-constructed points earn Makarova a hold to love. No signs of nerves on Court One from the world number 27, who uses a strong left-handed backhand to finish things off at the baseline. Kvitova has been slow to start often this season and will need to find her intensity quickly to progress.
Fairly routine stuff from both players keeps this first set on serve. Kvitova as usual is looking to crush the ball at every opportunity, and shows intelligence at 40-15 to catch her opponent out with a wide serve. High-quality stuff on show early on!
Another love game for Makarova, who moves quickly inside on successive points to close out a comfortable hold. The Russian is ranked fifth in the world in doubles and shows that touch at the net to chase down a short forehand from Kvitova.
Rather ominously there is visible rain starting to fall quite heavily now, I don't expect this match to carry on for much longer as Kvitova starts her third service game with a confident winner at the baseline.
PLAY IS SUSPENDED! More pure hitting from Kvitova gets a service game finished just before the covers come on. You could see that the groundstaff were desperate to be unleashed on Court One and get their wish, with play suspended until further notice.
Our feature match has all the makings of an extremely competitive encounter, but for the second time in as many days' play is postponed by a heavy shower. As always we will give you news on a return to action as soon as we get it!
Unfortunately for British fans home favourite Andy Murray has also had the start of his match delayed on Centre Court, but at least there is the safety net of a roof to ensure his delay is kept to a minimum.
While the delay is frustrating for both players, at just six games in neither woman has had a significant advantage taken away. Kvitova was just starting to find her familiar rhythm at the baseline, but Makarova looks a fierce, confident competitor on top form.
A hopefully short break gives us a chance to look through the fifth day's play so far, with another confident display from Laura Robson sure to dominate headlines. The 19-year-old breezed past Mariana Duque-Marino in straight sets, ensuring safe passage to the third round.
British hopeful Robson will face Marina Erakovic in the third round, but is very much on the other side of the draw to Kvitova and Makarova. Serena Williams looks utterly dominant in her section and could meet Robson in the quarter-final, but there is a long way to go for the teenager before that stage.
Both our featured players will come off Court One to find out their potential opponent in the last 16 has been confirmed. Carla Suarez Navarro awaits the winner in round four after a straight-sets win over Eugenie Bouchard.
WEATHER UPDATE! I'm afraid to report that the drizzle is still with us at SW19, ruling out play in the immediate future. There is tennis about to resume on Centre Court though, with Andy Murray just warming up ahead of a clash with Tommy Robredo.
You can follow Murray's match against Robredo in its entirety with my colleague Pascal Lemesre, who will providing live text updates which can be read by clicking here.
There has also been safe progress for a number of notable seeds at SW19 this afternoon, despite the pesky weather. Tommy Haas, David Ferrer both came through matches earlier today, but Nicolas Almagro is out after falling in straight sets to Jerzy Janowicz on Centre Court.
Another notable seed has fallen in the women's singles this afternoon though, with Angelique Kerber crashing out to Kaia Kanepi. The seventh seed is just the latest casualty in a bottom half of the draw decimated by early exits for top players.
Kerber's shock exit is yet another boost for Kvitova, who now must be considered the favourite to progress all the way to the final from her half of the draw. Before that dream can become a reality though the Czech will definitely get a stern test from Makarova, when the weather improves and play resumes on Court One.
Rest assured that just as soon as we get the highest hint of play returning on Court One you will be the first to know. Drizzle continues to dominate the skyline at SW19 though, which means this frustrating delay will continue for a little bit longer at least.
Kvitova and Makarova are not the only players being made to play the waiting game on the outside courts. Michelle Larcher de Brito was probably much happier to get a rest though, with Maria Sharapova's conqueror in the last round currently struggling against Karin Knapp. The Portuguese qualifier is down a set and a break in her match, but at least gets the chance to regroup during this rain delay.
Unfortunately the prognosis for a return to play on Court One remains unchanged. Here is a word from the tournament's official Twitter account, which five minutes ago sent out this tweet. "Weather update: the band of rain over #Wimbledon is set in & officials are continuing to monitor. We'll tweet updates as we hear more."
I'm afraid for now I'll have to call a short halt to our coverage of Petra Kvitova's third-round clash with Ekaterina Makarova. The moment we any kind of official word from the tournament organisers on a return to play we will return, to what looks be a very intriguing clash featuring an emerging force in the women's game!
WEATHER UPDATE! Good news tennis fans. After a delay of more than 90 minutes we have official word from the tournament organisers, the covers are coming off with play to resume in around 15 minutes time on Court One!
A reminder that when play resumes Petra Kvitova and Ekaterina Makarova will be deadlocked at three games apiece in the first set. The match had made a bright start on Court One, with both players looking strong on serve and showing power in a series of entertaining baseline exchanges.
Kvitova was just starting to find her range at the baseline before play was halted. The eighth seed will need to find her feet quickly against a Russian opponent who looked confident of earning a career-best victory on grass.
Makarova definitely represents a live threat to Kvitova's chances of repeating her 2011 success at SW19, with previous success against top players in a Grand Slam. The world number 27 beat Serena Williams at the Australian Open earlier this season, and will need a performance of similar stature to succeed again this evening.
BREAK! Unfortunately our live pictures from Court One are slightly late to resume, but Kvitova has the vital break in the very first game back. Makarvoa was slow to adjust and got punished to the full, dropping her first service game of the match.
Makarova quickly takes two points on her opponent's serve as the Russian looks for a swift response to that disappointment. Kvitova goes back to basics under pressure, using a huge first serve to earn her second ace of the match at 30-30.
Kvitova sends a slack 89mph second serve down the middle at break point, but her mistake goes unpunished thanks to a weak return from Makarova. The eighth seed is quick to capitalise, consolidating the break with a strong forehand down the line. Makarvoa has barely been back on court for 10 minutes but now must serve to stay in the second set.
A little slip from Makarova has the Russian fuming with a surface still containing some moisture after the rain delay. Kvitova also looks slightly uneasy with an unforced error at the baseline, leaving the players deadlocked at 30-30 in this potentially decisive game late in the first set.
SET POINT! Makarova digs deep after conceding a set point, producing her strongest first serve of the match under pressure. Kvitova quickly earns her second set point though, wrong-footing her opponent with sharp work at the baseline.
SET! Well there is no doubt as to who benefited from that extended break in play due to rain. At the third time of asking Kvitova takes the first set, just edging a pair of lengthy baseline exchanges to leave the Russian seething.
Very important for Makarova to respond quickly after that setback. In fairness the Russian has done very little wrong on Court One, but just failed to match her opponent with the intensity raised. Kvitova will serve to start the second set, looking supremely confident well behind the baseline.
A quite exquisite drop shot from Makarova catches her opponent off guard after a let call, with strong defence helping the Russian bring the game level at 30-30. Interesting to see how Kvitova deals with the first signs of pressure on serve here.
Terrific attacking play at the net from Kvitova sees the eighth seed claim her fourth successive game and start the second set on a positive note. Makarova has just been a step behind since we restarted on Court One, but has a chance to build confidence now back on serve.
Makarova is being made to work for every point by the sheer power of her opponent, but the 25th seed shown neat touch at 15-30 down to produce a slice backhand winner at the net.
BREAK POINT! A superb return from Kvitova lands right at the feet of her opponent, earning a break-point chance in the progress. Makarova shows grit to keep her service game alive in the next point though, showing variety with a wide serve and forehand combination. Absolutely imperative for the Russian to hold here.
A 105mph ace right down the line takes Makarova's service game back to deuce for the fifth time. No let up from Kvitova at the other end of the court though, slamming a massive forehand deep in the corner to earn a third break-point in this game.
Make that six games in a row for Kvitova, who is really finding power and precision with her shots. The eighth seed a gets a break she had to earn, putting her in complete charge of not only this second set but the entire match.
BREAK! Just as I begin to doubt Makarova's chances it all goes horribly wrong for Kvitova on serve. Two successive double faults start the problems, with the Russian attacking a sloppy second serve to earn a break to love. That came completely out of the blue, but can that be the start of a revival in the second set.
Heavy hitting from both players in a series of bruising exchanges, but Makarvoa consolidates her break with a fourth ace down the line. A strong recovery from the Russian has levelled this second set, with the pressure back on Kvitova to respond in her next service game.
BREAK POINT! Kvitova quickly concedes a pair of cheap points on serve, piling the pressure on at 0-30 down. The Czech hitter is having real trouble with her service action and smashes a fourth double fault long, conceding three break points in the process.
A massive hit right in the corner bounces just on the line, allowing Kvitova to escape three break points. At deuce though a cheap unforced error puts her right back in trouble, with Makarova earning a fourth chance to break serve.
BREAK! A third successive game for Makarova, who from a tough spot has responded with supreme confidence. Kvitova looks a different player when that troublesome first serve starts to fail, and now must work hard to keep this second set alive.
Four games in a row now for Makarova, what a dramatic turnaround from the Russian after another composed game at the baseline. Kvitova is just trying a little too hard to force those ferocious shots at the baseline and needs to regain touch by building points more slowly.
Kvitova just looks to have completely lost confidence in the second set, with a short second serve ruthlessly exposed by Makarova inside the baseline for break point.
BREAK POINT! Just too strong from Makarova at the net as she comes charging in to meet a cheeky slice from Kvitova, earning another chance to break serve for a 5-2 advantage in the second set.
BREAK! Makarova has really seized the initiative in this second set, slamming a fierce return down the middle to take full advantage of an error-strewn game on serve from Kvitova. The Russian will now serve to level this match, with new balls aiding her cause.
SET! Kvitova has pressed the self destruct button to drop the second set with a dropped game to love. Makarova has made very few mistakes in a run of six successive games, bringing this match level at a set apiece.
I wouldn't be surprised if Kvitova asked the umpire how much longer we can play this evening. The light looks perfectly playable for now, but with her serve struggling desperate the Czech might look for a reprieve ahead of the third set.
All credit to both girls, they are anxious to continue as Kvitovia serves to start the deciding set. The eighth seed needs a dramatic improvement in that area or she could easily become the latest seed to crash out in just the third round.
BREAK! A quite incredible implosion from Kvitova shows no sign of letting up, with yet another double fault contributing to Makarova's fourth successive break of serve. Full credit to the Russia, she has maximised her chances and now must be favourite to progress tonight.
Eight games in a row now for Makarova, with Kvitova continuing to look tense at the baseline as she drills successive forehands well past the baseline. Surely the rot must stop in the next for the eighth seed or it looks increasingly bleak for her chances of victory.
Much more like from Kvitova, rushing to chase down a drop shot before showing quick hands to adjust and win the point with a short volley.
A 40-15 lead on serve slips away for Kvitova, who is just rattling off forehand shots without constructing points with any thought process. Another big miss hands Makarova a break-point chance, but a fierce first serve from the Czech goes unreturned and we back to deuce.
Sheer relief from Kviotva has she wins her first game in nine attempts. The eighth seed is quick to ask about the light after that success, and encouraged by her coach looks desperate to get off court.
The officials are thinking hard about whether to continue, consulting both players as they survey the conditions.
PLAY IS SUSPENDED! With the light fading this match has been halted deep in the third set, a decision greeted by a groan from a pretty full Court One who wanted to see a conclusion to this intriguing clash.
Well I'm afraid that means play will have to resume tomorrow afternoon, with Makarova ahead 2-1 in the third and deciding set. What a relief that decision is for Kvitova, who will now have time to regroup and keep her tournament alive tomorrow.
That means a rather frustrating day's play on Court One has come to a close prematurely. Thanks for your patience and be sure to check back in with Sports Mole for the conclusion of this third-round match, which will most likely continue early tomorrow afternoon. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
