Jack Draper missed out on a place in the Eastbourne final as Ugo Humbert ended the Briton’s encouraging return to competition following injury.
Draper, 24, had earned three consecutive straight-set wins to reach the semi-finals at his first tournament in more than two months, after he sustained a knee injury at the Barcelona Open in April.
The former world number four gained more valuable time on court before turning his attention to Wimbledon, but he lost 7-5 6-3 after 100 minutes in sapping conditions against the 30th-ranked Humbert.
Draper, who has fallen to 160th in the world amid his injury struggles, learned on Friday he will meet American sixth seed Taylor Fritz in a tough opening assignment at Wimbledon, which begins on Monday.
Speaking of the draw, he said: “It’s definitely a tricky one, isn’t it? I was prepared that I was going to play someone who’s a top seed.
“I’ve lost my ranking and I’ve lost my seeded place in the slam so I have to work up the rankings to get that back, so it’s a lottery really.
“Obviously Taylor is a great player. We’ve played multiple times already, and it’s going to be a really, really good battle. It’s going to be a tough match. I’m looking forward to it.”
He and his coaching team, which now includes two-time Wimbledon champion Sir Andy Murray, will be pleased with the progress he has shown this week as he seeks a gradual return to his former level.
In the 18 months prior to his challenging year dealing with injuries to arm, knee and shoulder, Draper reached the US Open semi-finals and won his first ATP 1000 title at Indian Wells.
Speaking about Draper after his victory, Humbert said: “It’s nice to see Jack back on the court. He was really impressive and I think I was a bit lucky in the second set.”
The Frenchman, who was celebrating his 28th birthday, added: “It was the best gift I could have today. Tonight I will recover and be ready for tomorrow, so no big party.”