LONDON, (Reuters)

Fourth seed Amelie Mauresmo could not get off Centre Court quick enough yesterday when her reign as Wimbledon champion came to an inglorious end on a day of thunderclaps and cloudbursts.

The Frenchwoman's hopes of retaining her precious title disappeared when 18-year-old Czech Nicole Vaidisova beat her 7-6, 4-6, 6-1.

When the last of the day's storms ended play just before 7.30 p.m. local time two men's third- round matches were still incomplete, while the women's fourth-round clash of the champions between Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams had managed just three points after being shunted out to Court Three.

Men's second seed Rafael Nadal was locked at 4-4 in the fifth set against Swede Robin Soderling with the Spaniard facing playing every day if he is to reach the final again.

HOBBLING SERENA

One day after a hobbling Serena Williams screamed, cried and snarled her way to a remarkable fourth-round victory over Daniela Hantuchova, Mauresmo folded in startling fashion.

It was left to the lesser-known Marion Bartoli to keep French hopes alive in the women's draw when she came from behind to beat third seed Jelena Jankovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.