British lucky loser Sonay Kartal saw her memorable Indian Wells run ended by world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Kartal, 23, was beaten 6-1 6-2 in just over an hour as Sabalenka ruthlessly moved into the quarter-finals.
The scoreline did not do Kartal’s efforts justice, but it did illustrate the quality and power of three-time major champion Sabalenka’s ball-striking.
“I was in a lot of the games and I think I had her rattled at a few points,” Kartal told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I’m disappointed to be out of the tournament but I have made huge strides from this time last year.”
Kartal, who was ranked outside the world’s top 250 a year ago, has plenty of positives to take from a remarkable week in the Californian desert – where she did not expect to be competing in the main draw.
The British number three lost in qualifying and had to find new accommodation at the event at short notice after being given a late reprieve.
