Andy Murray smashed his racquet after suffering an agonising opening-round defeat by Australian Alex de Minaur at the Paris Masters.
The 36-year-old fell 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-5 to the world number 13, who he has never managed to beat in six meetings.
Murray twice served for the match and missed match point in another gruelling contest lasting just over three hours.
It means the Scotsman has still not won a match at the Paris Masters since winning the tournament in 2016.
Murray, who has lost five of his last six matches, failed to convert three match points against De Minaur in Beijing last month and this latest loss in Paris is his fourth against the 24-year-old this year.