Sonay Kartal experienced disappointment on her Cincinnati Open debut after she lost in three sets to veteran Caroline Garcia.
World number 48 Kartal clinched the first set but let slip a number of break points in the second set and failed to fashion any break-point chances on Garcia's serve in the decider.
Garcia, in action for the first time since May, showed her experience to secure a 5-7 6-4 6-3 victory in two hours and 36 minutes.
After a superb run to the fourth round at Wimbledon in July, Kartal returned following a month away from the WTA Tour and sent down three aces in a tightly contested first set.
Garcia fought back in the second and while breaks were exchanged, the 31-year-old held her nerve to force a decider.
The 2022 WTA Finals champion produced a rock-solid set on serve and made the most of her solitary break to consign British number three Kartal to an energy-sapping defeat ahead of this month's US Open.
PA
