PARIS: Defending French Open champion Coco Gauff was eliminated in the third round after a hard-fought three-set loss to Anastasia Potapova on Saturday. Potapova, ranked 30th globally, rallied from a set down to claim a 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 victory in two hours and 37 minutes, securing her spot in the fourth round at Roland Garros and maintaining her pursuit of a first Grand Slam title.
Gauff’s departure adds to a series of notable exits this year, following the earlier eliminations of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic from the men’s competition. Potapova began the match aggressively, breaking Gauff’s serve in the opening game and building a 4-2 lead in the first set. Nevertheless, the American regained momentum by winning four of the next five games to take the initial set.
In a significant shift during the second set, Potapova exploited Gauff’s inconsistent serving to establish a double-break advantage. Although Gauff, ranked world number four, mounted a comeback from 2-5 down to briefly lead, Potapova regained control and dominated the tiebreak to even the match.
The final set was tightly contested, with both players exchanging breaks of serve. Potapova ultimately asserted dominance in the closing stages, breaking Gauff’s resistance to secure one of the most important victories of her career.
“I’m extremely happy. I don’t have any words right now,” Potapova said after the match. “The fight we showed, both of us… Coco is such a champion and I respect her so much. I’m unbelievably proud that I stayed there and kept fighting until the last point.”
Potapova ranked the win among the top three of her career. With Gauff out, four-time French Open winner Iga Swiatek and world number one Aryna Sabalenka remain among the frontrunners for the title, while Potapova has emerged as a potential dark horse in the women’s draw.
Potapova will next face 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya for a place in the quarter-finals.
