Facing unseeded Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan, Kvitova incredulously trailed 4-1 after just 17 minutes and looked a pale imitation of the powerful left hander who upset the odds to claim her maiden grand slam 12 months ago.
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Nicely done: Petra Kvitova raced through to the second round in Wimbledon
The Czech was slow in finding her range with the trademark forehand which formed the foundation of last year's triumph, and looked shocked and no little frustrated as her opponent made light of her opening service game.
Perfect start: Defending champion Petra Kvitova celebrates her first round victory over Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova
But 4-1 down became 5-4 up just as quickly for the champion and, with the first set completed a game later, the writing was on the wall for Amanmuradova, ranked 96th in the world.
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Another 6-4 set followed, with only a 25-minute rain delay moments before the coup de grace delaying the inevitable.
So job done for Kvitova - who thrilled so many in beating Maria Sharapova in last year's final - despite that dodgy start.
'I was nervous,' admitted the 22-year-old Czech. 'It was first time for me as the defending champion of a grand slam. You know, it was huge honour to come back to the Centre Court and there were lots of nice memories.
'Of course I would like to make everyone happy by playing well all the way through, but it's not that easy.
'In the first match on grass it's always tough to know what to expect, but I tried to play my game and go forward.
'There were a lot of firsts for me today, but I'm happy that I stayed calm inside and did not panic in the important points.
'It is very difficult coming back as the defending champion, for sure. It's a huge honour for me. I'm glad that I won last year and I am glad that I am back playing again now and won again.'
Kvitova's forehand seemingly had an inverse relationship with the weather. As it got hotter, the lunchtime sunshine cooled off prompting the cloudburst that had the players running for cover, even if it didn't stay long enough to prompt the roof into action.
'I wasn't thinking about the rain when it came,' added the Czech. 'It was very close to the end of the match and unfortunately I didn't finish it off before it happened. But in the end I was lucky, so that's ok.'
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