Wimbledon 2019: Angelique Kerber bows out as Serena Williams stutters before securing safe passage

The German took the opening set but won just three more games as Lauren Davis prevailed in an impressive 2-6 6-2 6-1 victory

Defending champion Angelique Kerber’s reign is over as American lucky loser Lauren Davis produced some Independence Day fireworks to send her packing in three sets.

The German, a surprise absentee from the main show courts due to a packed schedule on Thursday, took the opening set 6-2 on Court Two.

But Kerber won just three more games as Davis, beaten in qualifying but handed a second chance in the main draw, celebrated July 4 with an impressive 2-6 6-2 6-1 victory to knock out the fifth seed.

World number one Ashleigh Barty suffered no such trouble on the same court, the Australian sweeping past Alison Van Uytvanck 6-1 6-3.

Barty will face Harriet Dart, who was joined in round three by fellow Brit Johanna Konta, a straight-sets winner against Katerina Siniakova.

Sloane Stephens awaits British number one Konta, the American ninth seed dropping just two games against China's Wang Yafan.

Serena Williams recovered from an error-strewn first set to eventually see off qualifier Kaja Juvan and take her place in the third round.

The seven-time winner found her range at the start of the second set and, in front of the watching Duchess of Sussex, went on to beat the 18-year-old Slovenian 2-6 6-2 6-4.

She will next take to the court alongside Andy Murray in the mixed doubles on Friday evening.

Two-time champion Petra Kvitova is through after a straight-sets win over Kristina Mladenovic of France.

The Czech sixth seed triumphed 7-5 6-2 in an hour and 25 minutes on Court One.

Fourth seed Kiki Bertens came from a set down to beat American Taylor Townsend 3-6 7-6 (5) 6-2.