Maria Sharapova is set to lose her place in the world's top 50 after squandering a strong position against Caroline Garcia at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
The Russian was beaten 3-6 7-6 (8/6) 6-4 in the first round in Stuttgart having been just two points from victory in the second set.
It was Sharapova's fourth successive defeat stretching back to the Australian Open in January.
It was a first victory for Garcia, the world number seven, in five career meetings against Sharapova.
Four of the world's top five - Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza, Elina Svitolina and Jelena Ostapenko - are involved in the event but have all received byes.
The other member of the top five, world number two Caroline Wozniacki, was in action in the first round of the TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup.
The Australian Open champion comfortably saw off Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2 6-2 in 68 minutes.
Third seed Agnieszka Radwanska was forced to retire, handing Donna Vekic a 6-1 2-0 victory.
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