Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic returns a shot during the women's singles third round match against Angelique Keber of Germany at 2016 WTA Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan, Hubei Province, Sept 28, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

WUHAN - Twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova handed Angelique Kerber her first defeat since becoming the world NO1 after prevailing in a marathon third-round encounter at the Wuhan Open on Wednesday.

The Czech closed out a 6-7(10), 7-5, 6-4 win on her seventh match point over the German after three hours and 20 minutes.

"It's always tough to play against Petra," said Kerber, who was facing Kvitova for the tenth time in her career. "I think we both played on a really high level over three hours."

"At the end I think there's no loser. I did everything today. I was fighting until the end."