Dan Evans is out of Australian Open after being deprived of a Novak Djokovic glamour tie.
The British No.1, seeded in a Grand Slam for the first time, was expected to overcome lowly-ranked Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round.
Yet he was never really in the game, running out of steam and running out of ideas as he was defeated 6-4 6-3 6-4 by the second player from Japan.
There is a gulf of 39 places in the world rankings Evans is positioned at 32 but the Brit was out-classed and out-gunned in just under two hours on Court 19.
The 39 unforced errors more than 20 from Nishioka and an inability to take the two break point opportunities sum up what a poor display this was.
To make matters worse, he lost the match after being broken on his own serve in the third set.
Indeed, this was a sad way to end the tournament after what has been a busy summer here in the southern hemisphere, especially with his involvement in the ATP Cup.
There will be no dream third-round date against the defending champion Djokovic in Melbourne, which would have been scheduled for the Rod Laver Arena, and in a prime-time TV slot.
Djokovic, chasing an eighth Australian Open singles titles, was not hanging around on Wednesday as he walloped Japan’s Tatsuma Ito 6-1 6-4 6-2.
Evans will now fly home and probably at some stage sit down with Tim Henman to discuss comments made about his weight.
On the eve of the Australian Open, following Britains quarter-final exit at the ATP Cup in Sydney, Henman claimed Evans should shed a few pounds and miss a few meals.
Evans said in response he is in decent shape and there is nothing wrong with his fitness.
But clearly it was a deliberate ploy by Henman to put the topic into the public debate.
So its likely the two will have a lively chat when they next meet up.
The Suns coverage of the Australian Open is brought to you in partnership with Betway.
