Kvitova will warm up for her SW19 title defence at Eastbourne

PETRA Kvitova will return to Eastbourne this summer as she prepares for the defence of her Wimbledon title.

The two-time SW19 champion has had a tough year and only recently returned from a six-week absence but will compete at Eastbourne, where she reached the quarter-finals last year. Kvitova, currently ranked fourth in the world, took a six-week break from tennis earlier this year citing exhaustion but returned to action in the Fed Cup, where she helped the Czech Republic reach the final.

However she will prepare for her title defence by appearing at Eastbourne, where she also finished runner-up in 2011.

She told the LTA website: “I’m really excited to be returning to the Aegon International Eastbourne this summer. It is a special tournament for me and one I always enjoy playing.

“The crowds there really know their tennis and the intimate site is a great place for the fans to get close to the action. From the first round, every match is tough which makes it the perfect warm-up event before Wimbledon.”

Tournament director Gavin Fletcher added: “Petra is unquestionably one of the best grass-court players in the world and I am delighted she will be lining up once again at the Aegon International Eastbourne this year.

“She is a double Grand Slam champion on grass and a former finalist at this tournament so someone will have to play well to beat her. I am pleased the supporters will be able to watch such a great player in action.”

Meanwhile, top seed Karolina Pliskova battled through the rain and past Annika Beck into the second round of the Prague Open. The Czech, ranked 14 in the world, overcame two delays to delight the home supporters who had braved the weather as she came from behind to beat the German 2-6, 6-1, 6-3.

At the La Princesse Lalla Meryem in Marrakech, top seed Garbine Muguruza cruised into the second round with a straight sets win over Daria Kasatkina.