Ashleigh Barty has shifted her focus to doubles after having her US Open singles campaign abruptly halted in New York.
Barty rued an opportunity lost after 2016 finalist Karolina Pliskova showed her class in a 6-4 6-4 fourth-round victory despite being under pressure for much of the match.
Barty won just about everywhere but on the scoreboard, striking 29 winners to Pliskova's 16, out-aceing the Czech six to four, winning more points in total and offering up only two break points on serve.
Tellingly, though, Australia's 18th seed was unable to capitalise on any of eight break-point chances while Pliskova converted both her only two - one in each set, in the one-hour and 24-minute triumph.
"It's disappointing because I know that wasn't my best tennis today that I've played across the past month," Barty said.
"But she did play the big points better today."
But while Pliskova was too clutch in the big moments, Barty paid dearly for her misfiring forehand on Sunday.
She dropped serve from 40-love up in the opening game of the match, wildly over-hitting a forehand with an open court in offing while down a break point.
It was enough for Pliskova to take the set.
Serving at 1-1 in the second set, Barty double-faulted to gift Pliskova a second break point, which the Czech converted with a vicious backhand crosscourt winner.
Again, enough for Pliskova to edge to within two wins of a second grand slam final appearance at Flushing Meadows.
But the eighth seed will need to get past resurgent six-times champion Serena Williams next in the quarter-finals.
Despite her own exit, Barty's breakout grand slam run ensures the 22-year-old a career-high ranking of No.15 in the world next week.
"It's been really positive," the Queenslander said after winning nine of her 12 matches over the American hard-court swing.
Barty remains in the hunt for a maiden grand slam doubles crown, with the four-times runner-up through to the third round with American partner Coco Vandeweghe.
"The best part is the tournament's still going with Coco. That's the beauty of doubles," Barty said.
"We get to go out there tomorrow and have some fun and keep enjoying this amazing week that we've had, and the last month in particular as well."
The former Wimbledon junior champion lost all four major doubles finals with Casey Dellacqua before the West Australian retired earlier this year.
"I would have loved to have done it with Case. That's always the thing we had hanging over our heads and our shoulders," Barty said.
"But we're still a very long way off that and hopefully we can get another win tomorrow."
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