Heather Watson's Wimbledon campaign has come to an early end after she was beaten by Annika Beck in a drawn-out first round at the All England Club.
The British pro showed fighting spirit in a match that was carried out over three days due to rain, but it was Beck who earned a 3-6 6-0 12-10 victory.
The 24-year-old Brit showed intent early on as she pushed Beck on her opening service game, but the German managed to hold.
Watson converted two games later as she took a stronghold of the match and took a dominant first set in 48 minutes.
It was a completely different story in the second as Beck found form by breaking three times, preventing Watson from getting a single point on the board.
It was a nervy wait for the pair as play was suspended until Friday, and it was Beck who took control as she moved into a 4-1 lead in the decider.
However, her British opponent launched a comeback as she earned a double break to put herself back in contention.
Beck put herself in the driving seat with a break point to take a 7-6 lead, but Watson responded instantly with a break of her own, setting up a tense finish.
Both players put everything out on the court as they tried to find a winning shot, but they could not be separated as games went with serve.
It was Beck, though, that eventually nabbed that crucial break point and successfully served for the match.
Danielle Joynson
