Lleyton Hewitt exited the singles at the US Open for the last time after an epic five-set loss to Australian countryman Bernard Tomic.
Hewitt, a two-time grand slam champion and winner at Flushing Meadows in 2001, went down in circumstances that have become characteristic in the final stages of his wonderful career.
The 34-year-old, who will retire after the 2016 Australian Open, was beaten 6-3 6-2 3-6 5-7 7-5 by Tomic.
Once a five-set specialist, the loss marked Hewitt's 11th loss in his past 13 matches that have gone that distance.
The former world number one had his chances, squandering two match points after going up a break in the fifth set.
Hewitt was broken to 30 when serving for the match in the 10th game, one after a tiring Tomic had managed to recover from 15-40 down to stay alive.
A fifth set had looked unlikely for Hewitt after Tomic moved into a two-sets-to-love lead in a match he was expected to win.
Tomic had also gone up a break in the third before the typical Hewitt comeback started.
The 22-year-old Tomic had a net cord go his way as Hewitt served to stay in the match in the 12th game of the fifth set.
On match point, an aggressive and desperate Tomic hit a forehand winner to claim victory.
A smiling Hewitt congratulated his countryman at the net before clapping fans and waving goodbye to the New York crowd for the last time as a singles player.