US Open: Ross Hutchins loses mixed doubles semi-final

Ross Hutchins and Yung-Jan Chan made it into the semi-finals after their quarter-final ended early due to an injury retirement

Ross Hutchins missed out on a first Grand Slam final appearance after losing in the US Open mixed doubles semi-final with Taiwan's Yung-Jan Chan.

The Briton and his partner were beaten 7-5 4-6 10-7 by top seeds Sania Mirza of India and Brazilian Bruno Soares.

Hutchins and Chan had four first set points at 5-1 and came back from 5-0 down in the decisive match tie-break.

"It would've been a huge thrill but I don't dwell on things that long," said Hutchins.

"In New York it would have been amazing to make a Grand Slam final.

"The final would have been on Arthur Ashe Stadium - it's the stuff dreams are made of. But not to be. We got ourselves in a decent position but couldn't quite get ourselves over the line."

The unseeded pairing, who came together after Chan approached Hutchins at Wimbledon, had their chances, squandering a 5-0 lead in the first set before edging the second to force a tie-break.

A double-fault from Hutchins on the opening point set the tone, however.

Ross Hutchins and Yung-Jan Chan narrowly lost their semi-final to top seeds Sania Mirza of India and Brazilian Bruno Soares

Although they clawed their way back from 5-0 down to trail 7-5, it was Mirza and Soares who looked the more assured in the closing points, the Brazilian swatting away a volley on match point.

"I don't think I've ever played a match like that, where you're playing so well and in such control and then a role reverse," added Hutchins.

The 29-year-old returned to tennis at the start of the year after suffering with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

He and regular doubles partner Colin Fleming have only made one ATP final in 2014, and Hutchins will have to find a new partner in the short term.

His protected ranking has come to an end and he will have to drop down to the secondary Challenger level in order to earn enough points to enter tournaments with Fleming.

"The year has not been as good as I'd hope it to be, in terms of results, but first and foremost I've loved playing," said Hutchins.

"It's been a sort of epic comeback in terms of how I've felt. I continue to love playing. It's a time to enjoy tennis and I want to keep improving and play better."