For a while, it looked like American champion Glenn might have produced an Olympic comeback for the ages.
She was down in 13th following a disastrous short program which left her in tears after she missed her triple loop, meaning it was scored zero as an invalid element.
Glenn – who is open about her bisexuality and criticism of USA president Donald Trump – has been a magnet for online backlash, and came out on Thursday in Milan with a point to prove.
Despite suffering a heavy fall in the warm-up she attacked her free skate, including a triple axel to start then a complex triple loop and double axel sequence.
She punched the air at the conclusion, and even as she missed out on a medal she had the body language of someone pleased to have brought her best to the Olympic stage.
The same could not be said for Petrosian, who was aiming to be the second Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) of the day to win a medal at Milan-Cortina 2026.
The teenager is under the tutelage of controversial Eteri Tutberidze – the coach of Kamila Valieva at the last Olympics – who was rinkside during Petrosian’s pre-skate.
But the 18-year-old’s medal hopes were all but dashed on her first routine as she attempted a quad toe loop but fell.
If she had nailed her complex routine, gold was likely. But instead Petrosian was left stony faced, and she exited the stage quickly when it was confirmed she had missed the podium.