Team GB's Daniel Fogg targets success in the Serpentine

The Olympic rings in all their glory hanging below a bridge on the Serpentine during the women's open-water race (Getty Images)

Daniel Fogg will today conclude what has been a poor campaign by the British swimmers when he competes in the 10 kilometre open water race in Hyde Park hoping to enjoy a better day than team-mate Keri-anne Payne.

Payne emerged battered from a "tough, violent race" in the Serpentine and after initially maintaining her composure she lost control and sobbed following her fourth place.

The double world champion and Olympic silver medallist had been one of the pre-race favourites, although with its varying conditions, open water is notoriously unpredictable.

However, there was widespread surprise Payne did not add to her medal collection as she was out-muscled, despite looking like she might reel in third-place finisher Martina Grimaldi at the death.

The 24-year-old fell just short as Hungary's Eva Risztov held off the fast-finishing American Haley Anderson for victory in one hour 57 minutes 38.2 seconds, four seconds ahead of Payne who was 0.4secs short of Grimaldi in third.

The Stockport ITC swimmer fought until the bitter end yesterday but she fell short, her energy sapped by a stop at the feeding station on the third lap and the subsequent battle to get back among the contenders.

The Johannesburg-born swimmer's mask fell when she spotted former training partner and Athens bronze medallist Steve Parry.

She sobbed before composing herself again, saying: "I thought I was all right to be honest when I was walking around until I saw Steve.

"He has been such a huge part of my life, training with him at Stockport, he used to take me there every morning and things like that.

"You're fine and then you see someone that really does mean something to you and it brings it all back."

Struggling to hold back the tears, Payne admitted the race had been far tougher than she had envisaged.

She said: "It seemed to be a pretty tough, violent race from the start.

"I'm not really a fighter - I'm more of a lover I guess.

"I struggled in the pack with all the fighting that happened, there was quite a lot of yellow cards handed out and I got hit quite a few times in the face.

"I tried to deal with it as best I could but it just took a lot more energy out of me than I was expecting it to."

Looking on was fiancee David Carry, the 400m freestyle finalist, who she will marry in the autumn as well as double bronze medallist Rebecca Adlington, a bridesmaid.

The pair flanked prime minister David Cameron who was no doubt hoping for another British victory.

However, it was not to be, Payne philosophical but tearful, dashing off to embrace Carry.

Now she will concentrate on her wedding while taking a break from 10km swimming but entering more mile swims.