Great Britain's Johanna Konta was given a rude awakening from her meteroric rise up the rankings, after she was beaten 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets by Germany's Julia Goerges in the opening round at the French Open.
The British number one was given short shrift by world number 57 Goerges, who eponymously classes herself as a clay-court specialist.
Goerges raced into an early lead
Konta, ranked 21 in the world and seeded 20 for this tournament, was making her debut appearance as a seed at Roland Garros. Whilst both ladies strode out onto court 14 bedecked in lime green however, the two were mirror-opposites of each other as the game began.
Indeed in just her second service game, Goerges broke the serve of the Briton. The German, formerly ranked inside the top 15, was making her intentions known as the player with superior experience on clay.
After holding serve herself, Goerges led 4-1 and was giving Konta few openings as the winners piled up. Konta closed the gap to 4-2, before Goerges extended it once to three games.
Konta served to save the first set but the German continued her superiority and set up set point. Poetically for Goerges, she clinched the opening set with a 15th winner of it, 6-2.
Disappointing seeded debut for Briton Konta
Despite her seeding, Konta was recognised as the underdog and it was showing. During her rise into the world's top 20, Konta's fighting spirit has been a trademark of the Brit, but in truth her opponent never let up and continued to assert her authority.
Goerges belied the 36 places below her opponent, as the German took advantage of her power, strength and knowledge of the surface. Konta battled valiantly but could not get a foothold on the red slate.
At 2-3 down in the second, Konta could feel the ground beneath her giving way and Goerges pounced to break for 4-2. The German ruthlessly made it 5-3 in her next and despite a slight wobble at 0-15 as she served out, Goerges held out to win in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.
Konta will now look to the home comforts of the grass at Eastbourne and seek a first win at Wimbledon, as she looks to regain ranking points.
Goerges will now play Monica Puig of Puerto Rico in the second round, for a place in the last 32.