Liam Broady has failed in his attempt to reach a second successive final on the challenger tour, suffering defeat at the hands of Adrian Mannarino in Knoxville.
The Stockport-born player broke into the world's top 200 after making the final in Charlottesville last weekend, but he didn't have enough to overcome the world number 61 on Saturday.
The British number three was blown away in a one-sided first set but he steadied the ship at the start of the second to ensure that the Frenchman would have to work for his victory.
Broady had an opportunity to break serve in the eighth game, but after squandering that opening, Mannarino took full advantage to register a 6-0 6-4 triumph.
Despite the setback, the 20-year-old will move further up the world standings as he continues to establish himself behind Andy Murray and James Ward.
