Britain’s Francesca Jones missed two match factors in a slim defeat by Talia Gibson within the Nottingham Open first spherical.
Jones battled again from a set and a break down – and a medical timeout – to pressure a deciding set in opposition to Australia’s Gibson.
After being an early break down within the third, Jones hit again and held two match factors as she served for victory at 5-3.
Nevertheless, world quantity 66 Gibson broke again and held agency within the ensuing tie-break to win 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-4) after a gruelling three hours and 6 minutes.
Jones confirmed good struggle in what was the longest match of her profession, hitting 15 aces and touchdown 75% of her first serves.
She additionally twice appeared in discomfort, significantly after being damaged to begin the second set when she sat together with her head underneath a towel, respiration deeply.
The physician was known as to courtroom to test her blood stress and vitals and Jones continued, breaking Gibson again earlier than ultimately taking a good second set.
The 25-year-old took one other medical timeout at 5-5 within the third set after showing to wrestle with a nasal drawback.
Earlier at Nottingham, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen battled again to beat Maria Sakkari 4-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.
Queen’s finalist Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter each withdrew from the event on Monday.
