Madison Keys became the latest title contender to fall at Wimbledon when the 10th seed American lost 7-5 5-7 6-4 to Russian qualifier, Evgeniya Rodina, in the third round on Friday.
The 23-year-old looked like salvaging a place in the last 16 when she played her way back from a set and 4-0 down to take the match into a decider on a hot and humid Court Three.
But, world number 120, Rodina, who needed treatment early in the decider, refused to crack and broke Keys’ serve at 4-4.
She slipped 15-30 behind as she tried to serve it out but Keys netted an easy volley.
Rodina got to match point with a stunning forehand pass played almost on her knees. Keys then netted a forehand, her 48th unforced error of the match, to hand the Russian victory.
The defeat of the US Open runner-up means only three of the top 10 seeds are left in the women’s draw.
Only two of the top eight survived to the third round – the lowest at Wimbledon in the professional era.