Anne Keothavong admitted her inconsistent form is “infuriating” after she lost to South Africa’s Chanelle Scheepers 7-5 6-3 in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old British No2 raced into a 5-2 lead in the first set but wobbled when she came to serve it out, eventually double faulting on a break point to give opponent a foothold.
The South African made it six games in a row, including a break in the first game of the second set to move into a commanding position.
And the Londoner was unable turn the match back in her favour as Scheepers closed out the second set 6-3 to book her place in round two.
“She didn’t hit me off the court, she just didn’t miss,” said Keothavong afterwards. “That’s the way she plays. She’s someone I’ve practised with quite a lot in the past. I knew what to expect, I felt like I had to try to be more aggressive.
“I got myself into a winning situation in the first set, I just wasn’t able to close it out. I kept fighting, I kept trying my best, it just wasn’t good enough.
“The tennis is there, it’s just finding the consistency again that has been the hard thing for me to do. It’s infuriating for me playing that kind of tennis when I know I’m capable of better stuff but it’s not life or death.”