Pliskova leads Czech Wimbledon challenge after Kvitova exit

[July 06, 2017]  LONDON (Reuters) - The Czech challenge for the Wimbledon women's title may have lost Petra Kvitova but third-seed and bookmaker's favorite Karolina Pliskova will continue her bid on Thursday.

While threats of thunderstorms in SW19 could mean some delays to the program on what could be a warm, muggy day, Pliskova will expect no disruption to her timetable.

Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova is an experienced campaigner, however, who is rebuilding her rankings after a series of injury woes and represents a tricky test on Centre Court.

Kvitova's attempt to repeat her triumphs in 2011 and 2014, ended with a second-round loss to 95th-ranked American Madison Brengle on Wednesday.

World number one Angelique Kerber is also in action, taking on Belgian veteran Kirsten Flipkens.

On the men's side, seven-times champion Roger Federer takes on Dusan Lajovic and Djokovic faces Adam Pavlasek in round two.

Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova in action during her second round match against USA's Madison Brengle REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

The pair will be looking to get a full game under their belts after their first round challenger both retired injured early in their contests on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Simon Evans; editing by Andrew Roche)

[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.