Defending champion Coco Gauff was knocked out of the French Open by Anastasia Potapova in a three-set match on Saturday. The Russian secured a 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 victory over the American at Roland Garros, ending Gauff's title defence in the third round.
Match Overview
The match saw Potapova's powerful baseline hitting challenge Gauff, whose serve was described as inconsistent throughout the contest. After trading breaks in a breathless deciding set, Potapova took control to seal her place in the next round.
Key Moments
Gauff started strongly, taking the first set 6-4. However, Potapova fought back in the second set, forcing a tiebreak which she dominated 7-1. The final set was a tense affair, with both players exchanging breaks before Potapova broke decisively to serve out the match.
Potapova will now face 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya in the fourth round of the tournament. The victory marks a significant upset, as Gauff was widely expected to progress deep into the tournament after winning the title in 2024.
For Gauff, this early exit will be a disappointment, but the young American has shown resilience in the past and will look to bounce back at Wimbledon next month.
