Emma Raducanu is out of the Auckland Basic after falling to a 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 defeat by second seed Elina Svitolina within the second spherical.
The Briton, taking part in her second match since wrist and ankle surgical procedures, raced right into a 5-1 lead within the first set earlier than taking it within the tie-break.
Svitolina gained the second after one other tie-break and, with Raducanu tiring, took the third in simply 31 minutes.
Subsequent up for Raducanu is the Australian Open, which begins on 14 January.
The 2021 US Open champion was taking part in with pretty heavy strapping on her proper thigh however went toe to toe with world quantity 25 Svitolina earlier than fading after an intense first two units that every lasted greater than an hour.
“I can take away that I performed a excessive stage for 2 lengthy units,” Raducanu mentioned.
“I am happy with how shortly I used to be capable of get my stage up, as Elina offers you nothing.
“To have the ability to play like I did for 2 units, in my second match again… the extent was raised actually shortly.”
Whereas Raducanu’s focus turns to the primary Grand Slam of the 12 months in Melbourne, Svitolina progresses to the Auckland quarter-final the place she is going to play Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova.
Raducanu will obtain direct entry into the principle draw for the Australian Open following American Lauren Davis’ withdrawal with a shoulder harm.
Encouraging indicators in defeat for Raducanu
After a hard-fought victory over Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse within the first spherical, this was one other gruelling encounter for Raducanu as she continues her return from harm.
The 21-year-old started properly to go a double break up however was twice unable to transform when serving for the primary set.
Nevertheless, she confirmed her resilience within the breaker, organising her first set level with a drop shot and – after a double fault – changing the second with a deft forehand.
Svitolina got here combating again at the beginning of the second with Raducanu saving two break factors within the opening recreation, just for Ukraine’s former world quantity three to transform the third.
Raducanu broke again instantly, however Svitolina made it three video games towards the serve in a row to revive her benefit.
Once more, Raducanu hit again although with one other break to make it 3-3 and from there it stayed on serve to arrange one other tie-break.
The Briton went up 3-1 earlier than Svitolina reeled off six straight factors to stage the competition and by no means appeared again.
Raducanu was exhibiting indicators of fatigue with two unforced errors gifting Svitolina a pair of break factors within the first recreation of the third set. They have been repelled, with a 3rd saved with an ace, however a double fault finally gave Svitolina the break.
There was no method again for Raducanu, who appeared understandably weary after a protracted harm absence from the tour, and an energised Svitolina ruthlessly completed the job.
Evaluation: Fatigue no shock
Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent
The fatigue within the ultimate phases was no shock – the match was already into its third hour when the deciding set started, and that is not a snug place for somebody taking part in simply their second match in eight months.
However Raducanu’s efficiency within the first two units was extraordinarily good. By nature an aggressive participant, she was additionally very spectacular in defence and there was selective however efficient use of the drop shot.
Her subsequent aggressive look shall be in the principle draw of the Australian Open, however it’s fairly attainable she is going to first play an exhibition match or two at subsequent week’s Kooyong Basic in Melbourne.
Dart reaches final 4 in Canberra
Elsewhere, Harriet Dart beat second seed and world quantity 93 Nao Hibino 6-3 6-0 to achieve the Canberra Worldwide semi-finals.
It’s the first time in Dart’s profession that she has gained a set 6-0 towards a prime 100 opponent on a floor aside from grass.
World quantity 120 Dart will face American Katie Volynets for a spot within the ultimate.
High seed Coco Gauff breezed via to the final eight in Auckland after a straight-set win over Brenda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic. The American gained 6-3 6-0 and can play France’s Varvara Gracheva within the quarter-finals.
On the Brisbane Worldwide, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina cruised into the quarter-finals with a 6-1 6-0 win over Elise Mertens of Belgium, whereas 16-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva additionally superior with a 6-1 6-1 triumph towards Australia’s Arina Rodionova.
Victoria Azarenka will face Jelena Ostapenko within the final eight after every gained their last-16 matches. Azarenka overcame France’s Clara Burel 7-5 6-2 whereas Ostapenko beat Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova – who knocked out Naomi Osaka within the earlier spherical – 6-2 4-6 6-3.
In the meantime, Oliver Crawford, who has two dad and mom from Birmingham, has this week switched his nationality from the USA to Nice Britain.
The 24-year-old from South Carolina, who has a world rating of 215, turns into the British quantity 9, and earned his place in Australian Open qualifying with spectacular outcomes on the ITF and ATP Challenger Excursions within the latter months of 2023.
His solely earlier look in Grand Slam qualifying got here on the 2022 US Open, the place he misplaced within the first spherical to Geoffrey Blancaneaux of France.