Dustin Brown’s sensational run in the South Africa Open ended at the quarter-finals yesterday, losing 6-7, 3-6 to eighth seed Frenchman Stephane Robert.

The world 141-ranked and Jamaican top seed battled brilliantly throughout, but lost crucial points at key moments of the game in a match lasting one hour and 28 minutes.

Reports from South Africa stated there were four straight service breaks from 2-2 in the first set, but Brown was unable to convert two break point opportunities at 1-3 and 3-5 in the second set, with Robert serving at 15/40 both times. Robert saved 11 of 13 break point opportunities overall.

Having scored a shocking first round win over tournament’s fourth seed Marco Chiudinelli and world 139th Laurent Recouderc of France, another torrid examination was expected from the Jamaican in Johannesburg.

Little separated the two in the opening set, but Robert managed to pull away in the tie-breaker.

Brown upped his first serve from 70 per cent in the first set to 83 per cent in the second, but failed to convert any of the six break points on offer.

Robert, who is ranked 104th in the world, seized the initiative and duly served out the match to set up a semi-final clash with second seed and world #18 David Ferrer. Ferrer defeated India’s Somdev Devvarman 6-1, 6-3.

Despite the defeat Brown, who was playing in his first ATP World Tour since 2003 and is bidding to make the main draw at Wimbledon this summer, has made overall progress.

The 6’5″ rising star accumulated 45 points for reaching the third round and will ascend the rankings when the latest list is revealed.

All ATP top-100 players are automatically placed in the main draw of major tennis events.

On the other side of the pool top seed and world #12 Gael Monfils of France moved into the semi-finals after a straight set 6-1, 6-4 win over Yen-Hsun Lu of Taipei. Monfils will play Spaniard Feliciano Lopez who overcame USA’s Rajeev Ram 7-6, 6-3.