05 July,2015 08:26 AM IST | | AFP
Veteran campaigner Jelena Jankovic beats defending champ Petra Kvitova 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in Round 3; Federer, Berdych stretched
Serbia's Jelena Jankovic celebrates beating Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova during their women's singles third round match on day six of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon
London: Petra Kvitova's reign as Wimbledon champion came to a shock end on Saturday as Jelena Jankovic staged a superb fightback to claim a 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 third round victory.
Serbia's Jelena Jankovic celebrates beating Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova during their women's singles third round match on day six of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon. Pic/AFP
Kvitova's exit marks the first time since 2009 that the two-time Wimbledon winner has failed to make at least the quarter-finals at the All England Club.
Jankovic looked down and out when she trailed by a set and was 4-2 down in the second against the Czech world number two. But the Serbian 28th seed mounted a gutsy recovery and will play former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska for a place in the quarter-finals.
"I don't know what to say. I'm overwhelmed. I'm so excited. My heart is still pumping," said 30-year-old Jankovic who has reached the last 16 for the fifth time.
Meanwhile, seven-time champion Roger Federer defeated big-serving Australian Sam Groth to reach the last 16 on Saturday. Second seed Federer clinched a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 victory over the world number 69 who fired a 147mph ace in the third game. Federer will next face Spanish 20th seed Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the quarter-finals.
"I am very happy. It has been a hot week the first week but thankfully I have had easy matches going through without too many long four or five setters," said Federer.
Karlovic oldest in last 16
Croatia's Ivo Karlovic became the oldest man in 39 years to reach the last-16 when he beat French 13th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round. The 36-year-old giant fired 41 aces past Tsonga in a 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (11/9) win.
Karlovic is the oldest man to make the fourth round at the All England Club since compatriot Niki Pilic in 1976. The 23rd seed is also the oldest to reach the last-16 of any of the four Grand Slams since 39-year-old Jimmy Connors.
Tomas Berdych beat Pablo Andujar 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-6. Danish fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki reached the last 16 for the fourth time with a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win over Italy's Camila Giorgi.
Wozniacki will face Garbine Muguruza after the 20th seed shocked 2012 semi-finalist Angelique Kerber 7-6 (14/12), 1-6, 6-2. Timea Bacsinszky put out 2013 runner-up Sabine Lisicki 6-3, 6-2 to book a spot in the last 16.
