Storm Hunter learned a hard lesson when a cyclonic start petered out into the tamest whimper at Roland Garros - but she's adamant she's proved enough through her stirring French Open displays to signal she's more than a mere 'doubles specialist'.
The Queensland southpaw, who's No.5 in the world at doubles, never did like that tag, as she's demonstrated before in BJK Cup action that she can go it alone very nicely thank you.
"I don't like it when people say I'm a doubles player, because that's not true," said the 28-year-old after giving former world No.3 Elina Svitolina a run for her money on Wednesday before succumbing 2-6 6-3 6-1 in their second-round clash.
"I don't see myself as a doubles player or a singles player - I'm a tennis player. I have goals in both."
And her singles goals have been given a real boost during a week when the US Open mixed doubles champ won three matches to battle into the main draw, defeated Spanish player Nuria Parrizas Diaz, who's ranked 110 places higher than her, and reached the last-64 at a slam for the first time in her career.
"I didn't take my chance today, but it's another experience and something to build on for my singles career," said Hunter, after pocketing almost $160,000 for reaching the second round while looking at a prospective jump in the rankings from 204 to 151.
Rather than being deflated by the way Svitolina, who's on the comeback trail after a maternity break, gradually soaked up, changed the pace of the match and dismantled her attacking approach, she felt the lesson from such a quality opponent would only stand her in good stead for the future.
"No, I'm definitely not deflated. She's a hell of a competitor. An unbelievable player," said Hunter, who admitted to a touch of weariness after so much tennis recently.
"I don't have any injuries or anything. It's just that I lost my legs a little bit in a few of those games and, against the best players in the world, you don't get second chances.
"I will just take a lot of confidence with my game and my level. I played five really good quality matches.
"My level is really high. I competed really well in every single match. I guess I have that belief in my game and that I can play at this level, you know, beat really good players - I think that's the biggest thing I will take out of it."
Her Roland Garros is not over yet, though. She and Belgian Elise Mertens, the No.3 seeds, will begin their doubles campaign on Friday.
