Thursday 1 September 2016 13:03, UK
British 13th seed Johanna Konta collapsed during her US Open second-round match against Tsvetana Pironkova, but bravely managed to win through in an absorbing contest.
Konta dropped to her knees late in the second set and began breathing erratically and required immediate treatment due to the intense heat and humidity in New York.
The umpire wrapped the 25-year-old in ice towels until doctors arrived at the outside court. After several minutes, Konta was able to stand up and walk to her chair.
Back sitting in her chair, Konta told the physio: "My whole body felt in shock. I started shaking. My heart speeded up, and my vision just started...yeah.
"I feel better, just a bit numb. I've been drinking fine, I think I'm just tired."
She went back on court but double-faulted to hand the second set to 71st-ranked Pironkova, then was taken to the locker room before the start of the third.
Remarkably, Konta recovered to win through against the Bulgarian No 1 6-2 5-7 6-2 in two hours and 33 minutes of gruelling action on Court 13 to set up a meeting with Belinda Bencic.
The Swiss 24th seed had earlier brushed aside Germany's Andrea Petkovic 6-3 6-2 with the minimum of fuss.
Pironkova, while crediting Konta with the better performance on the day, said she was frustrated by the lengthy comfort break, during which Konta had to be shepherded through the crowds away from the court.
"With that toilet break I think the match was stopped for just too long," she said. "It was an unfortunate time. I had my momentum going, I was getting back in the match.
"Probably that break somehow maybe stopped that momentum, but then again, I don't want to make excuses for myself."
Twice US Open finalist and former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, fought back from 4-0 in the opening set, to upset ninth-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets 6-4 6-4.
Next up for Wozniacki is Romanian Monica Niculescu, a 6-0 6-1 winner against compatriot Ana Bogdan.
German second seed Angelique Kerber reached the next round with a 6-2 7-6 (9-7) win over Croatia's Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.
Australian Open champion Kerber will face either Shelby Rogers or CiCi Bellis, both of the United States, for a place in the last 16.
Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova recovered after dropping the first set to beat Evgeniya Rodina of Russia 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-2 to progress to the third round.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova secured a 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 win over Turkey's Cagla Buyukakcay.
