Destanee Aiava's 2018 Australian Open is over.Credit:Eddie Jim
But Aiava,17,put up an admirable show in what was her second grand slam match after her unveiling at these same courts 12 months ago.
The teenager eventually lost 7-6 (7-5),6-1 in one hour and 51 minutes to last year's French Open finalist,but not before the Melburnian offered a glimpse into the future.
Simona Halep had ankle issues.Credit:Eddie Jim
Across the two sets,Halep won just 12 more points than Aiava – 84 to 72 – and the pair looked equally composed from the baseline. Aiava also edged ahead on winners.
Long considered a bright prospect,Aiava showed few nerves and jumped out to a 5-2 lead and it was game on. Some on-court and then off-court treatment for an apparent breathing issue,however,didn't appear to help her,and gave Halep the chance to pounce. She forced the opener to a tie-break. With her nose in front,the Romanian closed out the match with a 38-minute second set.
"Yeah,no,I just got really anxious at 5-2 and started hyperventilating a bit,"Aiava later explained,smiling.
"Everything's fine."
Aiava,of course,is already remembered as the first player born in the 2000s to compete in a grand slam main draw. With the best player in women's tennis,Serena Williams,absent and her elder sister Venus Williams a first-round casualty,the idea that this Australian Open is providing a peep into the future was undeniable.