American teen CiCi Bellis fought back after losing the first set, but ultimately came up short in her second round match Thursday night at the US Open.
Bellis -- who on Tuesday at age 15 became the youngest player to win a US Open match since 1996 -- lost to 48th-ranked Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan 6-3, 0-6, 6-2.
Bellis, a Californian who is ranked 1,208th and playing in her first tour-level event, won seven games in a row during one stretch.
"Maybe it didn't turn out how I wanted it to, but thank you, everybody, for coming out and watching," Bellis told the overflowing and wildly supportive crowd in an on-court interview. "It was amazing. I mean, I never thought I'd be here."
Bellis earned a wild-card invitation from the U.S. Tennis Association by winning the USTA Girls' 18s National Championship, the youngest to do since Lindsay Davenport also won it at 15 in 1991.
Bellis -- who on Tuesday at age 15 became the youngest player to win a US Open match since 1996 -- lost to 48th-ranked Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan 6-3, 0-6, 6-2.
Bellis, a Californian who is ranked 1,208th and playing in her first tour-level event, won seven games in a row during one stretch.
"Maybe it didn't turn out how I wanted it to, but thank you, everybody, for coming out and watching," Bellis told the overflowing and wildly supportive crowd in an on-court interview. "It was amazing. I mean, I never thought I'd be here."
Bellis earned a wild-card invitation from the U.S. Tennis Association by winning the USTA Girls' 18s National Championship, the youngest to do since Lindsay Davenport also won it at 15 in 1991.