The 27-year-old qualifier had just received a life-changing payday then her mood suddenly turned.
Priscilla Hon's US Open odyssey is over following a fighting straight-sets third-round loss to American Ann Li.
The Australian qualifier dbattled hard before succumbing 7-5 6-3 at Flushing Meadows on Friday (Saturday AEST).
Hon had reached the last 32 of a grand slam for the first time after winning three qualifying matches just to make the main draw in New York.
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Her rewards for adding the prized scalps of Russian world No.20 Liudmila Samsonova and higher-ranked Frenchwoman Leolia Jeanjean are a rise to a career-best No.106 and a life-changing $US237,000 ($A363,000) payday.
The 27-year-old would have been dreaming for more after rallying back from 3-0 and 5-2 down to level the opening set at 5-5 against Li.
But, spurred on by the home support, Li raised her game to take the set, then reel off three straight games to clinch the match in one hour and 45 minutes.
Hon had her chances to break back in the second set, but fluffed multiple chances.
There was a sad fallout to the match, with some so-called tennis fans mercilessly trolling Hon.
One person called her an "unserious competitor" while other comments were far worse.
Later, she shared an Instagram post of a snapshot of some of the appalling comments.
"I love people," she said with upside down face emojis.
After the match she acknowledged her run as "definitely a stepping stone", but still departed with a sense of disappointment about the lost opportunity.
"Definitely it's a stepping stone. It's a great third round for both of us. It's a great opportunity," she said of playing the world No.59 for a spot in the second week.
"That's kind of why I was a bit frustrated when I wasn't playing as well and I'm thinking I'm missing opportunities here.
"But I'm super happy to have qualified and a won a couple of rounds."
Hon's exit leaves 15th seed Daria Kasatkina as the last Australian standing in the women's singles draw.
Kasatkina plays two-time Open champion and former world No.1 Naomi Osaka on Saturday (Sunday AEST) for a place in the last 16.
World No.8 Alex de Minaur is the lone Australian left in the men's singles.
He faces German Daniel Altmaier in the fourth round on Saturday (Sunday AEST).