Thursday night's semifinal at the Australian Open was largely taken out of Magda Linette's hands by Aryna Sabalenka, but no one will be able to wipe away the memories of a career-changing two weeks.
The 30-year-old entered AO 23 having gone 0-for-6 in Grand Slam third rounds. And before then, Linette began her Grand Slam career by losing 13 of 16 times in the opening round.
But on her 30th visit to a major, it all turned around for the Polish No.2 behind Iga Swiatek.
A maiden spot in the round of 16 came, and Linette proceeded to go even deeper.
No one can say her draw did her any favours, either.
Linette's scalps over WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia and former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova were two of four straight victories against seeded opposition.
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"I still don't know how I'm going to maybe realise what just happened in like a week or two," Linette said after her 7-6(1) 6-2 loss to the fifth seed.
"But it's really been so rewarding for all the hard work that we've done, for all the sacrifices, all these years on tour, so many Grand Slams.
"It was my 30th attempt. It's really rewarding because I really needed more than a couple tries."
Linette underwent knee surgery early in 2021 – missing the Australian Open – and has spoken in the past of the financial difficulties she endured.
On the latter note then, pocketing $925,000 for reaching the semifinals at Melbourne Park is bound to be a massive boost.
Besides being a potential nest egg, Linette can, if she chooses, add to her entourage.
Players in the past, for example, have cited the benefits of travelling with a physiotherapist every week.
Linette intends to take a break in the short term, but is excited about the work she continues to put in with coaches Mark Gellard and Iain Hughes.
Both were mainstays in her player box this fortnight along with Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland's United Cup captain.
Radwanska befuddled opponents with her touch and tactics, yet even the former Wimbledon finalist might have struggled with Sabalenka's power.
Ranked as high as No. 2 and winning some of the most prestigious events outside a Grand Slam, a first major final felt on the cards sooner rather than later for Sabalenka. And it has happened in Melbourne.
Linette has long been known as a counterpuncher.
While still patrolling the court extremely well, her baseline replies seemed punchier, she served with pace and precision and took on shots earlier in rallies.
Case in point was the forehand she crushed from close to the baseline off a Sabalenka return at 5-6, 15-30 in the first set, or even her ensuing forehand to get to 40-30.
Sabalenka gave Linette little chance in the key tiebreak.
Winning it 7-1, Sabalenka hit either winners or forced errors to account for her points. She didn't miss.
Sabalenka also clawed back from an early 2-0 hole.
"It's tough when you feel like you had a little bit of a lead in the first set," said Linette. "Of course, it doesn't mean I would win. It's always nice if you can lead and have one break to still win a set.
"I'm definitely going to think a little bit about it, but I didn't feel I did too much wrong. She played really well. I thought the level was very high of this match.
"I'm just proud that I could keep the level for so long and still come out tonight on such a big occasion and feel I belong here, and I still played my tennis."
Linette's second set numbers read just two winners to 10 unforced errors, but were no doubt a consequence of the match-changing tiebreak – and Sabalenka's rising level.
Linette understandably attempted to become more aggressive, leading to several more errors. She made Sabalenka work to close out the semifinal, though, digging in to save three match points at 1-5.
Her ranking is set to climb from 45 to a new career-high of about 22.
Linette said the work with her team is only just beginning, which means it might not take her as long to go deep in upcoming majors.