Andy Murray produced his finest display in four injury-disrupted years but fell agonisingly short of beating Greek world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling start to the US Open.
The British former world number one played in a manner reminiscent of his best as he led by two sets to one.
But Tsitsipas fought back to win 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 3-6 6-3 6-4 on a buoyant Ashe.
British men's number one Dan Evans is through but Heather Watson and Harriet Dart lost after Johanna Konta withdrew.
Murray, like so often in the past, was the British player who stole most of the attention on the opening day of the final Grand Slam of the 2021 season - even in defeat.