British number two Johanna Konta’s impressive run at the Aegon International came to an end against Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic in the Eastbourne quarter-finals.
Konta, 24, had beaten two top-20 players to reach the last eight, but lost 2-6 6-0 6-3 to the 18-year-old.
The Briton needed medical treatment in the changeover before the deciding set and could not deny Bencic victory.
“I’m really happy with the week in general,” said Konta.
“But I have been struggling with some things and it kind of caught up to me today.
“I have been on antibiotics this week. I have been ill. I have been slowly getting better, but it’s difficult to get better with energy levels when you play against such high level players.”
Bencic will face former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals after the second seed won 7-5 6-1 against Germany’s Andrea Petkovic.
Konta, the world number 146, had already earned two of the finest wins of her career in Eastbourne – beating world number eight Ekaterina Makarova and 20th-ranked Garbine Muguruza.
But she could not replicate her success against Bencic, who is regarded as one of the world’s best young female players.
Konta broke Bencic’s opening serve before wrapping up the first set in 35 minutes with a thumping ace.
