Emma Raducanu is out of Wimbledon after being hampered by injury in the deciding set of her fourth-round match against New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun.
The British wildcard, 21, lost 6-2 5-7 6-2 in a dramatic contest on Centre Court.
Raducanu had levelled the match and regained some confidence after a stunning performance from an inspired Sun.
Then Raducanu slipped on the baseline in the first game of the third set.
The 2021 US Open champion stayed down on the grass and shook her head before getting back to her feet.
The game was stopped at 15-30 on Raducanu’s serve and she received treatment – on her leg and back – while laid out on the court.
“I’ve been managing a stiff back since yesterday. I was feeling it during the match,” Raducanu said.
“I think especially on serve, it was affecting me a bit.”
A roar of encouragement greeted Raducanu when it became clear she would carry on.
However, she gingerly lost serve immediately and could not recover the break.
Her movement during points improved, despite clasping her back between games, but she was broken again for 5-2 and could not take either of two break points before Sun served out on her second match point.
It means the world number 135 missed out on reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time in her career, while there are no British players left in the singles draws at the All England Club.
“It was a difficult match. I think Lulu played really good tennis,” added Raducanu.
“I gave my best, I fought really hard. Her tennis was better and she deserved the win.”
