First, the tears came from Coco Gauff, as the 15-year-old’s US Open came to an end against defending champion and world No.1 Naomi Osaka.
Then it was Osaka’s turn to cry, moments after comforting Gauff with a hug and some words of encouragement on Saturday night.
Gauff has generated all sorts of attention already by making it to the second week at Wimbledon in July and becoming the youngest woman to win two matches at Flushing Meadows since 1996.
In this much-hyped showdown under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium that ended 6-3 6-0 in Osaka’s favour, Gauff often looked exactly like what she is: an immensely talented player who is still learning her way at the top level.
She overcame a slow start to get within 4-3 in the opening set but also then dropped the last eight games.
“She told me that I did amazing and good luck and then she asked if I could do the on-court interview with her and I said no because I knew I would cry the whole time but she encouraged me to do it,” Gauff said of Osaka.
“I’m going to learn from this whole match. She’s been so sweet to me.”
Osaka, a two-time major champion, including at the Australian Open in January hit 24 winners to Gauff’s eight.
“For me, this is the most focused I’ve been since Australia,” said Osaka, who’s had an up-and-down season since earning that trophy.
Addressing Gauff, she said: “I’m so sorry for playing you (with) this type of mentality.”
Gauff said Osaka “did amazing and I will learn a lot from this match. She is super sweet”.
Swiss 13th seed Belinda Bencic, Osaka’s next opponent, did not have to take to the court on Saturday after her Estonian opponent Anett Kontaveit withdrew before the match due to illness.
Earlier in the day, qualifier Taylor Townsend continued her remarkable run with a 7-5 6-2 victory over Romanian Sorana Cirstea.
The American world No.116, who stunned Wimbledon champion Simona Halep in the third round, is now one match away from a record-equalling quarter-final berth for a qualifier.
“I am here, we are going to ride this thing all the way,” she pledged in an on-court interview.
“I will take it as far as I can.”
Townsend next faces fancied Canadian 15th seed Bianca Andreescu who beat former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-4.
“I played great but so did Caroline. It was super fun,” Andreescu said.
Germany’s Julia Goerges also pulled off a surprise by knocking out Dutch seventh seed Kiki Bertens 6-2 6-3 to advance to a meeting with Donna Vekic, who accounted for Yulia Putintseva 6-4 6-1.
Belgian 25th seed Elise Mertens and American wildcard Kristie Ahn both won to set up a round of 16 encounter.