Johanna Konta's dream run at the US Open came to an end at the hands of Olga Govortsova.
Barely a couple of months after securing British citizenship, Konta put herself in the public eye with a first-round win over Timea Babos - her first victory at a grand slam.
That win was based on a steely determination, as she battled back from the brink of defeat. It was in evidence again, but she could not withstand a final-set surge from her Belarusian opponent who won 2-6 6-2 7-5.
Midway through the second set, Konta received medical attention on her left thigh. The injury appeared to hamper Konta's movement, though she found herself with an opportunity to steal the match in the final set.
Two double faults from Govortsova handed Konta a 3-0 lead in the third, and found herself serving for the match moments later. However, the Brit was broken in two consecutive service games before launching a forehand over the baseline to gift Govortsova victory. Konta made a bright start, dominating on serve in the opening set, and she worked two breaks of serve to breeze into the lead.
Govortsova, at 67 in the world, is 136 places above Konta in the rankings and her greater experience told as she stormed through the second set.
Konta regrouped at the start of the third and produced some superb play to race into a 5-2 lead. Twice she served for the match but twice she was broken and she could not stem the tide as Govortsova broke again in the 12th game to snatch the win.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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