PAUL JUBB suffered a shock straight sets defeat to former Davis Cup winner Evgeny Donskoy at the Nonthaburi Challenger.
The York-born tennis talent was beaten 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) by Donskoy in Thailand as 2023 began in defeat for the 23-year-old.
Jubb conceded break point twice en route to losing just his second service game to trail 2-1.
The world number 219 rallied to force break point in the fourth game but Donskoy managed to hold.
The Russian extended his first-set lead to 4-1 with another break of the Jubb serve.
After holding his serve for the third time, the former world number 65 needed no second invitation to claim set point.
Jubb had far more joy in set two and won break point in game one, although Donskoy's serve held strong.
Responding in kind, Jubb survived break point on his own serve four times to leave the pair tied at 5-5.
Donskoy saw off break point for a 6-5 lead and had match point in the 12th game, but Jubb ensured that a tie-breaker would be needed in set two.
Jubb thrice lost his serve in the tie-breaker, breaking Donskoy on two occasions, losing the set-decider 7-5.
The defeat meant that Jubb was unable to build on his success at the Schroders Battle of the Brits in late December.
A 6-4, 5-7, 10-6 doubles win over Jamie Murray and Jonny O'Mara was followed by a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Aidan McHugh in Aberdeen.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here