Emma Raducanu’s US Open defence ends early with defeat to Alizé Cornet

• Defending champion loses to world No 40 6-3, 6-3
• As it happened: Tom Lutz's game-by-game report

As the intense first set between Alize Cornet and Emma Raducanu arrived at its decisive moment, with Cornet serving at 5-3, the Briton did everything in her power to hold off her veteran opponent. She stepped inside the baseline, attacking hard and early off both wings. But, like so many times on Tuesday night, Cornet had a response. She absorbed every blow, flitting from side to side, and then she threaded a down-the-line forehand winner on the 27th stroke.

A year ago, Raducanu pulled off one of the most surprising runs in tennis history, but her 2022 season has been a series of reminders about just how difficult this sport is. In arduous, windy conditions, Raducanu received her most brutal reality check yet as her US Open title defence ended in the first round with a 6-3, 6-3 loss.