In a surprising turn of events at the French Open, defending champion Coco Gauff was eliminated by Austria’s Anastasia Potapova in the third round. Potapova secured a 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 victory, advancing to the fourth round and keeping her hopes alive for a maiden Grand Slam title.

Gauff’s Exit Amidst Tournament Upsets

The match was part of a series of upsets at Roland Garros, with notable players like Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic also exiting the tournament. Gauff, unable to maintain her top form, joined the ranks of fallen stars, leaving Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka as the leading contenders for the women’s title.

Potapova, ranked 30th in the world, expressed her joy and disbelief at the victory. “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,” she said after the match. The match lasted two hours and 37 minutes, showcasing intense competition and skill from both players.

Match Highlights

Potapova started strong, breaking Gauff’s serve early and taking a 4-2 lead. Gauff, however, fought back to win the first set. The second set saw Potapova target Gauff’s serve, gaining a double break advantage. Although Gauff rallied to take the lead, Potapova ultimately won the set in a tiebreak.

The final set was a nail-biter, with both players exchanging breaks. Potapova eventually took control, securing her place in the next round where she will face 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya. Potapova described the win as one of the biggest in her career, stating, “It’s up there in the top three for sure.”

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.