Emma Raducanu has faced another first round exit as she struggles with injury, placing more worry on her physicality for upcoming tournaments.
Her latest struggle came at the Ningbo Open, where she was defeated by World Number 219 Zhu Lin in three sets.
The British Number 1 took the first set in China, 6-3, before proceeding to take a first medical timeout where her blood pressure was checked.
She continued on, but there was clear struggle, as the Chinese wildcard levelled things to a set-all.
Raducanu took a second medical time out in the third set, where she received treatment to her lower back.
The 22 year old was unable to get back into the match, losing it 6-3 4-6 1-6.
It comes a week after she withdrew in the first round of the Wuhan Open with illness.
The World Number 29 is set to take part in two more tournaments before the year's end - The Pan Pacific Open in Japan and the Hong Kong Open.
These tournaments are all key preparation ahead of the first Grand Slam in 2026, the Australian Open, which Raducanu will hope to go into as a seeded player.
It's been an intense year for Raducanu - the Ningbo Open is the 22nd tournament she's participated, reflecting an intense schedule.
Players have been outspoken on just how full-on the tennis calendar has become and the demands it has on their bodies. So it's only natural that towards the closing stages of the year, signs of struggle show.
The British Number 1 will now be hoping to get to the end of the season for a break and reset before heading to Melbourne in Janauary.
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