Gauff’s French Open title defence ends in third round
The fourth-ranked American was defeated 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 by Austria’s Anastasia Potapova on Saturday, as local spectators prioritised the Champions League final.
Coco Gauff’s campaign to retain her French Open crown concluded in the third round on Saturday, following a defeat to Anastasia Potapova. The match, contested inside Court Philippe Chatrier, ended with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4, marking the end of the defending champion’s title defence.
The atmosphere within the stadium was notably subdued, with mostly empty stands visible throughout the contest. French spectators largely stayed away from the tennis venue to watch the UEFA Champions League soccer final taking place elsewhere on the same day.
Potapova, ranked 30th and representing Austria, proved a formidable opponent for Gauff. Born in Russia, the Austrian player improved her career head-to-head record against Gauff to 3-2. She demonstrated the ability to match Gauff’s court coverage during long baseline rallies, capitalising on a clay-court season that has seen her reach the final in Linz and the semifinals of the Madrid Open as a qualifier.
Gauff, the fourth-ranked player in the world, arrived at Roland Garros following a strong run to the final of the Italian Open. Her presence in the tournament was significant given her success in the previous year, where she secured her second Grand Slam title by defeating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
The result underscores the competitive depth of the women’s draw at the French Open. While Gauff’s previous victory over Sabalenka highlighted her peak performance on clay, this third-round exit signals a shift in momentum against opponents who have adapted well to the surface and the conditions.
