Tesni Evans saw her hopes of a quarter-final spot at the Tournament of Champions dashed in a five-game battle with English rival Alison Waters.

The 26-year-old took a two-one lead in games against the World No 9, but Waters recovered to reach the last eight of the $180,000 tournament at New York’s Grand Central Station.

Evans, the world No 10, was seeded eighth and one place ahead of her opponent but lost the first 11-8.

The Cardiff-born, Rhyl-based player responded taking the next two games 11-8, 11-9.

But Waters, who Evans beat to be crowned British champion last February, responded by taking the next 11-6.

And Waters won the decider 11-5 to clinch victory after a 71 minute battle.

Evans had produced a dominant display to win her first match seeing off England’s Millie Tomlinson in three games.