Monday 31 August 2015 23:48, UK
Heather Watson's US Open drought continued as the British No 1 bowed out in the first round to diminutive American Lauren Davis.
Watson was desperate to put her Wimbledon heartache with Serena Williams behind her by registering a first career win at Flushing Meadows.
But there was to be further disappointment for the 2009 junior US Open champion in New York as Davis came through 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-0).
Watson is yet to go past the first round in five attempts at Flushing Meadows but she has endured some tough draws too, losing to the likes of Maria Sharapova, Li Na and Simona Halep.
Davis, ranked number 84 in the world and was 0-3 at Flushing Meadows, represented a very realistic opportunity, although the British No 1 was unable to produce her best tennis on Court 17.
The American, who stands at 5 foot 2 inches, said: "I'm really, really happy with the way I played. It was an extremely tough match. We both made a lot of balls so I'm surprised it wasn't longer."
Watson has been eager this year to add aggression to her more natural abilities in speed, tenacity and defence but the balance seemed to be tipped too far against Davis, who waited patiently behind the baseline and cashed in on her opponent's mistakes.
Watson was certainly not without chances, starting in the sixth game of the first set.
A backhand long from Davis opened up three break points, but the American saved all of them, the last with a stretching forehand volley.
Eight consecutive holds were followed by four straight breaks as Watson saved a set point at 5-4 before forcing a tie-break.
The 23-year-old remained courageous in the tightest moments, but Davis seemed only to feed off her opponent's pace and a counter-attacking forehand, shown on review to have just nipped the line, presented three set points, the first of which she converted for a one-set lead.
Watson fought hard in the second, coming back from 3-1 and a break down to lead 5-4, but she wavered when serving for the set, before bouncing her racket into the court in frustration.
Two holds ensured another tie-break but Watson was blown away this time, failing to recover from a mammoth third point, allowing Davis to cruise into round two for the first time.
She will now play Russia's number 13 seed Ekaterina Makarova for a place in the third round.
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