Dan Evans put up a decent fight before falling in the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Championships to Gael Monfils.
The British number two, who is at a career-high ranking of 43, hit back impressively after losing the first set but was unable to maintain the momentum as fourth seed Monfils triumphed 6-4 3-6 6-1.
A break of the Evans serve in the opening game proved decisive in the first set, and the signs were not promising when Monfils repeated the feat at the start of the second.
But a few choice words from Evans sparked a revival, with Monfils holding serve just once in the second set.
However, ultimately it was the British player's struggles on serve that cost him as another early break gave Monfils the advantage in the decider.
Fernando Verdasco is next for Monfils after he beat fellow Spaniard and sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 3-6 7-5 but there was a bigger shock to come, as Tomas Berdych was beaten 3-6 6-3 6-4 by Robin Haase.
Berdych could only convert one of nine break points in the match, that sole success against serve helping him take the first set with a degree of comfort.
However, Haase began to deal with his opponent's service in the second set and took one of three opportunities, a feat he repeated to seal a surprise victory.
On a mixed day for the seeded players, France's Lucas Pouille beat qualifier Marius Copil 6-1 6-4.
Six aces and upwards of 80 per cent of points won on serve saw the 23-year-old advance to the quarter-finals.
