Anett Kontaveit bursted into tears after her lost game to Serena Williams.

Anett Kontaveit had just completed a brave fight, in which she took a set off the six-time champion, before going down 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

The 26-year-old was visibly emotional during her post-match press conference and was asked whether the tears were due to the match itself or something else.

“It’s just everything, I guess,” she replied. “I’m just really disappointed with the result.”

Kontaveit has been in good form during the US Open, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time. She had previously beaten Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina en route to the last eight. After the match, Kontaveit was visibly emotional, bursting into tears during her post-match press conference.

Kontaveit added that she was proud of how she fought throughout the match, but ultimately came up short against a “legendary” player like Serena.

“I just wanted to give it my all and fight as hard as I could,” she said. “It’s just an honor to play her. It was a great opportunity for me and I really wanted to win,” she said, before breaking down in tears and being comforted by her father, who was also her coach.

Kontaveit had looked the more composed player for much of the match, even when Serena was serving at 4-5 down in the second set. But, as has so often been the case in her career, the Estonian crumbled when it mattered most.

“It’s tough. I played really well for most of the match and then just couldn’t quite finish it off,” she said afterwards. “Serena is a great champion and she showed why today. I just have to keep my head up and try to learn from this experience.”

It was a painful lesson for Kontaveit, but one that will surely stand her in good stead for the future. Despite the loss, Kontaveit can take solace in the fact that she had a breakout tournament at the US Open, reaching the semifinals for the first time in her career.