PARIS — Defending champion Coco Gauff has been eliminated from the French Open after losing a dramatic third-round match to Anastasia Potapova at Roland Garros.
Potapova, the No. 28 seed, came from behind to defeat the fourth-seeded American 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 on Saturday, ending Gauff’s title defence and producing one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far. The match lasted two hours and 37 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Gauff appeared on course for the fourth round after taking the opening set and moving within two points of victory in the second. But Potapova held firm, dominated the tiebreak and then recovered again in the final set to complete one of the best wins of her career.
The defeat marks Gauff’s earliest exit at Roland Garros since her main-draw debut in 2020. She had arrived in Paris as one of the leading contenders after winning last year’s title and showing strong form on clay, but she struggled to close out key moments against an aggressive and confident opponent.
After the match, Gauff acknowledged that missed opportunities proved costly. Potapova, who fell to the court in celebration after sealing victory with a forehand winner, described the result as one of the biggest wins of her career.
Potapova’s victory sends her into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time. The Austrian representative has enjoyed a strong clay-court season, including a run to the Madrid semifinals, and said her recent switch from representing Russia to Austria had helped her confidence and freedom on court.
Gauff’s exit adds to a turbulent French Open that has already seen several major names fall early. Reuters reported that the tournament has been marked by a string of upsets, while Aryna Sabalenka advanced comfortably to the fourth round with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Daria Kasatkina.
The women’s draw now opens further, with Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek among the remaining leading contenders. For Gauff, the loss ends her hopes of becoming the first woman to successfully defend the Roland Garros title in recent years.
For Potapova, the result is a breakthrough moment. She not only defeated the reigning champion but also proved she can withstand pressure on one of tennis’s biggest stages.
