Elina Svitolina’s search for form since her knee injury is set to continue after she failed to turn around her match against Alize Cornet on Court One.
The Ukrainian, 24, has now only won two of the seven matches she has played following her return to action in early May, and she admitted in Birmingham that she was concerned about her performance levels.
When play was suspended on Monday evening due to rain, Svitolina trailed 6-3 2-1. She lost the first game after the restart, but then played a series of excellent points as she won three games in a row to move 4-3 ahead.
However, Cornet steadied herself to hold for 4-4, and then profited from a sloppy service game by the World No.8 to gain a chance to serve for the match.
The Ukrainian was not finished yet. She forced errors from the Frenchwoman at crucial times to break straight back and, after two routine holds, the set went to a tie-break.
Svitolina lost it because she made a mistake at a pivotal stage. She was trailing 4-3 when she jogged to the net to put away what should have been an easy smash. To the crowd’s astonishment, she missed it, and about a minute later Cornet sealed victory with a skilful backhand volley.
Bertens progresses but Mallorca champion Kenin falls at first hurdle
Kiki Bertens experienced no such problems. She raced through to the third round with a dominant 6-4 6-1 win over Yulia Putintseva.
The Dutchwoman will now face Anna-Lena Friedsam. The German, who is currently ranked No.356 because she missed most of 2018 with a shoulder injury, earned a surprise 6-3 6-4 victory over 16th seed Anett Kontaveit.
It was not such a good day for Mallorca champion Sofia Kenin. She did not manage to bring the form she showed on the sunny Spanish island with her to the British seaside, and veteran Sam Stosur comfortably her 6-2 6-3.
Another player who headed to Devonshire Park on the back of a good week on grass was Nature Valley Classic semi-finalist Barbora Strycova. Unfortunately for the Czech, she appeared to be struggling with an injury after her exertions in Birmingham and she retired when she was down 7-6(3) 1-0.
Elsewhere in Eastbourne, Zhang Shuai beat Daria Gavrilova 6-3 6-1. Lesia Tsurenko eased past Zarina Diyas 6-2 6-2. And Ons Jabeur fought back to defeat Mandy Minella 2-6 6-2 6-1.
