Defending Champion Coco Gauff Out of French Open
Two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff, the defending French Open champion, was eliminated in the third round by Anastasia Potapova in a match marked by multiple momentum shifts. The American fourth seed lost 4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 to Austria's Potapova.
Potapova's victory over Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam winner, advances her to the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time in her career.
Gauff's exit follows the early departures of men's top seed Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic during the first week of the tournament in Paris.
At 22 years old, Gauff had defeated Aryna Sabalenka in last year's final but entered Roland Garros this year without having won a title in 2026.
Potapova's exceptional defensive play troubled Gauff throughout the match. After several intense rallies, Gauff was seen clutching her shoulder following the match.
"I'm cramping a little bit but it's OK, it's all good. I don't have any words now, I'm extremely happy," said Potapova.
"The fight we could show, both of us - Coco is such a champion and I respect her so much.
"I'm unbelievably proud of myself that I stayed there, that I was fighting until the last point."
Potapova will face Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya in the round of 16, following Kalinskaya's 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 win over Camila Osorio.
Earlier on Saturday, American sixth seed Amanda Anisimova was also eliminated from the tournament after losing to France's Diane Parry.
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French Open Daily: Defending Champion Coco Gauff Exits
The elimination of Gauff means that one of Potapova, Kalinskaya, Parry, or Poland's Maja Chwalinska is guaranteed to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals. None of these players have previously advanced to the quarter-finals in Paris.
During the match, after losing her opening service game, Gauff saved two break points at 4-2 down and then rallied to win the next four games, securing the first set against Potapova.
Momentum shifted early in the second set as Potapova's deep groundstrokes challenged the defending champion, allowing Potapova to open a double break lead.
At 5-2 down, Gauff saved two set points and fought back to level at 5-5, but ultimately lost the tie-break due to unforced errors and double faults.
In the third set, Potapova's strong defensive play forced Gauff into further mistakes. Potapova's deep looping forehand extended rallies, and her persistence earned her the decisive break to win the match.
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