Cori Gauff's Wimbledon fairytale is over after a straight sets defeat to Simona Halep in the fourth round.
The former world number one was always going to provide stern opposition for the 15-year-old sensation and so it proved as Halep stormed to a 6-3, 6-3 victory on No. 1 Court.
The crowd hadn't bonded with any other player quite like they had with Gauff in the first week at Wimbledon, showing the American teenager huge support every time she stepped out on court.
And for good reason too. Entering as a wildcard, Gauff had displayed an incredible sense of poise and composure that's usually found in a multiple Grand Slam winner - and perhaps that's her destiny.
But she was given a harsh lesson by Halep, who showed exactly how good she can be with a ruthless performance.
The Romanian broke in the first game and held straight after, before Gauff began to mount her comeback.
But throughout the first set, the teenager was unable to blow Halep away on her serve and she could nothing but watch on as Halep swung an incredible backhand winner to seal the first set 6-3.
The second set began in a similar fashion to the first, with Halep nailing down the first two games. But Gauff wasn't going down without a fight, breaking back immediately.
The tension was palpable and for the first time, Gauff lost her swagger as she sent a simple backhand wide to hand Halep the break at 4-2. This match was slipping away from her and Halep was in control.
As Halep wrapped up the second set, the crowd got on their feet to applaud the seventh seed after a superb display. But also to support the losing party, Coco Gauff, who had reminded everyone that age is just a number when it comes to talent.
She will be back. For Halep though, it's a 12th Grand Slam quarter-final in her career. After that stunning show, it will take a mighty performance to beat her.
