Emma Raducanu was eliminated early in the Singapore Open after losing a three-hour struggle to world No. 101 Cristina Bucsa.
Bucsa, ranked 101st in the world, took advantage of the Brit’s error-filled performance to win 5-7 7-5 7-5 in a match featuring 17 breaks of service.
Raducanu appeared in a comfortable position at a set up and then 5-4 up in sets two and three, but lost the last three games in both of sets to go down to defeat.
The former US Open champion made it to the third round of the Australian Open in a promising start to the year, but went out after winning only a single game against second seed Iga Swiatek in a 6-1 6-0 hammering on Rod Laver Arena.
She arrived in Singapore after parting ways with childhood coach Nick Cavaday, who stepped down last week due to health issues.
Instead, the 22-year-old had her mother Renee for company in the stands, as well as new fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura.
But Raducanu still flagged as the finish line approached at the end of a brutal encounter.
She saved two break points in the first game with a pair of aces, with Bucsa serving for the first set, but was pulled back in by a whipping forehand winner from the British player.
Raducanu, seeded seventh, secured a solid hold to love with an ace before converting her first set point with another smashing forehand.
She recovered an early break in the second set for 5-5, but Bucsa, demonstrating some of the volleying that helped her earn an Olympic bronze medal in doubles last year, struck again to tie the match.
A jittery deciding set featured seven breaks as double faults began to creep in at Raducanu’s end.
Bucsa served for the match at 6-5 and although Raducanu saved two match points, the Moldovan-born 27-year-old converted her third to seal the win in a marathon encounter.
“I don’t play [three-hour matches] enough, but it was really good,” said Bucsa, who has reached world No. 56.”
“Emma played exceptionally well from the first ball to the last. I’m so glad I persevered and kept believing in myself.”
“It doesn’t matter if I have a day off; I have good endurance, and I’m thrilled to have my father [who completed a triathlon] beside me. Thank you for your support.”
Jodie Burrage failed to qualify for the Linz Open, losing in straight sets to Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic.
Burrage, who had defeated Serbia’s Lola Radivojevic in the first qualifying round, lost to Ruzic 6-4 7-6 (7-1) in an hour and 37 minutes.
Burrage put up an impressive effort at the Australian Open earlier this month, but was knocked out in the second round by last year’s French Open champion Coco Gauff, 6-3 7-5.