Heather Watson's return from glandular fever did not end with a happy result - but she still produced a battling performance to give cause for future confidence.
The British number two went down in two hours against Switzerland's world number 56 Stefanie Voegele at the French Open in Paris.
But her display was an improvement on fellow British players Laura Robson and Elena Baltacha, who both lost in straight sets.
"I'm really disappointed," she said, following a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 defeat.
"I thought I had a good draw and a good chance to get through to the next round.
"I knew it was going to be tough, my first match back, but still I'm super disappointed I lost."
Great Britain hasn't qualified a single player to the second round in Roland Garros for the first time in six years but Watson will be back in both the women's and mixed doubles events - with securing more court time vital before the grass court campaign starts.
"I think being in a match situation and playing matches definitely helps," she added.
"Naturally you want it, so you're trying a lot harder, using your muscles a lot more, rather than in practice when you're more relaxed and playing freely."
© Sportsbeat 2013