Heather Watson's poor US Open run continues in New York

The British number two insisted ahead of the tournament that the sequence was simply coincidence rather than anything to do with the courts or the event.

Indeed, Watson won the junior tournament in 2009 but has not managed a single victory in the seniors.

This match was a frustrating one for the 25-year-old, who paid for poor starts in both sets and fell to a 6-4 6-4 defeat.

She was a slight underdog against Frenchwoman Cornet, ranked 46 to Watson's 74 but notoriously unpredictable on court.

With New York refreshingly free of its usual humidity, conditions were very pleasant, but Watson found herself behind from the start when she dropped serve in the opening game.

There was little between the pair but Cornet was the steadier, with Watson over-pressing and unable to take advantage of her half chances.

Watson, who climbed back into the top 100 by virtue of reaching the third round at Wimbledon, saved three set points at 5-3 but Cornet served it out and then broke again at the start of the second.

This time Watson did manage to get back on terms, first at 2-2 and then 4-4, but both times she dropped serve again straight away and a final forehand wide sealed the victory for Cornet.