Emma Raducanu's maiden Slovenia Open came to a disappointing end in the second round as she lost in three sets to German qualifier Anna-Lena Friedsam.
The 19-year-old entered the competition as the top-seeded player but went down 5-7 6-0 3-6 in Portoroz after struggling with a leg injury following the first set.
Break points were aplenty for both players as they struggled to hold serve in the opening exchanges, and not until the fourth game would Raducanu produce the first hold to move 3-1 up.
However, the British number one squandered four set points and was not moving comfortably, although Friedsam was fortunate to save the fourth set point as her shot clipped the net tape before landing on Raducanu's side.
Friedsam would break Raducanu to clinch the first set, after which the top seed would need treatment before returning with copious amounts of tape on her left leg.
Despite her physical condition, Raducanu came out all guns blazing in the second set and took just 38 minutes to force a decider, barely allowing Friedsam a sniff in a 6-0 bagel.
The German qualifier would need just the one break in the eighth game of the third set to gain the upper hand, though, and a stunning cross-court backhand saw her take the first match point from three on offer.
Ben Knapton
