Johanna Konta of Britain collapsed at the U.S. Open on Wednesday but went on to score a win over Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova.
The 13th seed, Konta, 25, was leading when she dropped to her knees, shaking, Reuters reported. She dropped the second set and received treatment including ice bags before recovering in time to win the round 6-2 5-7 6-2.
"I am feeling a little embarrassed but I'm doing everything that I can to recover well to compete again on Friday," Konta said, according to Reuters.
"I was feeling the conditions and my own energy levels ... basically my heart rate spiked, I couldn't really control my breathing and I started shaking ... that's why I went down on the ground."
She said Pironkova was gracious and understanding of the interruption, though the Bulgarian admitted that the disruption may have broken her momentum.
"She won because today she played better," Pironkova said, according to Reuters. "Obviously she wasn't feeling well, I could see that. What was frustrating for me was the toilet break. I think the match was stopped for just too long. It was unfortunate. I had my momentum going, I was getting back in the match. That break maybe stopped that momentum."
Konta, who will play Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on Friday, said she "felt like my whole body was going into shock," the BBC reported.
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller said Pironkova "deserves sympathy for the length of time she had to wait, but there is no denying Konta played a magnificently canny final set. She used less pace, but great placement. Her shot selection was remarkable."
Temperatures during the match were in the mid-80s.
Many Twitter users expressed support for the athlete.
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