Defending Champion Coco Gauff Upset by Anastasia Potapova in French Open Third Round
In a surprising turn of events, the reigning champion Coco Gauff was eliminated from the French Open after a fierce battle against Austria’s Anastasia Potapova, who secured a remarkable 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 victory on Saturday. This match allowed Potapova to advance to the fourth round, reinforcing her ambitions of capturing her first Grand Slam title.
From the outset, Potapova displayed her formidable baseline hitting, securing a break to love in the opening game, and establishing a 4-2 lead shortly thereafter. During a tense moment in the match, Gauff experienced a slip that caused her to fall on the Court Philippe Chatrier as she lunged for the ball.
The match unfolded during a turbulent period at Roland Garros, witnessing the shocking exits of notable players such as Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic from the men’s division. Gauff struggled to exhibit her best form when it was critically needed, joining the ranks of other high-profile players who faced early elimination.
As a result of her defeat, the path is now clearer for the four-time champion Iga Swiatek and world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who are seen as the primary favorites for the title. Meanwhile, Potapova emerges as a dark horse in this tournament, waving goodbye to several favored competitors.
After the match, Potapova expressed her emotions in a post-match interview while clutching her right arm from fatigue. “I’m cramping a little bit, but it’s OK; I’m extremely happy,” she stated, reflecting her joy at reaching this stage. She further praised Gauff, saying, “Coco’s such a champion, and I respect her so much. I’m unbelievably proud of myself that I stayed there and fought until the very last point.”
Following Gauff’s initial struggles, she managed to rebound by winning the next two games in front of a modest crowd, as attention divided between the ongoing Champions League final featuring Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, alongside Moise Kouame’s performance at Roland Garros.
Ultimately, although Gauff took the first set, Potapova elevated her game, increasing the pressure on the American’s serve, which proved unreliable throughout critical moments. Despite leading 5-2 in the second set, Potapova found herself fighting back as Gauff won four consecutive games, only to falter in a tie-break where her serve let her down.
As the decisive set progressed, both players exchanged breaks in an intense finish, but it was Potapova who seized control, ultimately advancing to face the 22nd seed, Anna Kalinskaya, in the next round. Potapova, now ranked 30th in the world, regarded this victory as one of the highlights of her career, stating, “It’s up there in the top three for sure.”
