Thursday 22 February 2018 17:07, UK
Johanna Konta had two match points but still lost a marathon encounter to Russia's Daria Kasatkina in the second round of the Dubai Championships.
The British No 1 led by a set and 3-1 and was on the verge of victory at 6-4 in the second-set tie-break, but Kasatkina won four straight points, taking the set with a winner that just clipped the baseline.
The 20-year-old then proved the more consistent in the decider to wrap up a 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 win after two hours and 59 minutes to set up a quarter-final against countrywoman Elena Vesnina.
Konta had made the brighter start and led by a set and a break.
But her opponent ranked 24, fought back after getting over the disappointment of not taking any of her seven break points in the opening set.
When she did finally convert to pull level at 3-3 in the second set, it was on her 10th opportunity.
The Briton will be kicking herself after 63 unforced errors not helping her cause.
In the quarter-finals, Kasatkina will play compatriot Elena Vesnina who overcame Latvian fourth seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Ukrainian top seed and defending champion Elina Svitolina will face Japanese wild card Naomi Osaka for a place in the semi-finals.
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