Barbora Krejcikova had to compose herself several times in the third set [Getty Images]

Barbora Krejcikova’s Wimbledon title defence came to a tearful end as physical struggles hampered her in a three-set defeat by American 10th seed Emma Navarro in the third round.

The 29-year-old Czech, who had come into the tournament after an injury scare, had seemed to be in control of the match but became increasingly distressed after being taken to a third set in a 2-6 6-3 6-4 defeat.

Advertisement

Advertisement

She bent over several times behind the baseline at the end of points and had the trainer on midway through the third set to have her blood pressure taken.

When she was one game from defeat, she leaned against the back of the court and cried.

Wiping away tears as she held serve to stay in the match, the end came in the following game when she netted as the American, 24, booked a fourth-round meeting with 18-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva, who is the seventh seed.