The reigning titleholder, Coco Gauff, has become the newest prominent competitor to be eliminated from the French Open, following her third-round loss to Anastasia Potapova.
During a contest characterized by significant shifts in impetus, the American fourth-ranked player, Gauff, was defeated by Potapova of Austria with scores of 4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4.
This victory against Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam winner, signifies Potapova’s inaugural progression to the fourth round at Roland Garros.
Gauff joins men’s top-ranked player Jannik Sinner and 24-time major victor Novak Djokovic among those eliminated during the initial week of competition in Paris.
The competitor, aged 22, triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka in the preceding year’s championship match but arrived at Roland Garros without having secured any tournament victory in 2026.
Potapova’s exceptional defensive play posed difficulties for Gauff continuously, and the 25-year-old was observed grasping her shoulder post-match, after engaging in several intense exchanges.
“I’m experiencing some minor muscle spasms, but it’s fine, everything is alright. I am speechless at this moment; I am immensely joyful,” stated Potapova.
“The competitive spirit we both displayed – Coco is truly a formidable athlete, and I hold her in very high regard.”
“I am incredibly proud of my perseverance, of having competed relentlessly until the very final point.”
Potapova is scheduled to face the Russian 22nd-seeded player, Anna Kalinskaya, in the round of 16, subsequent to her triumph over Camila Osorio with scores of 6-3, 0-6, 6-2.
Earlier that Saturday, the American sixth-ranked player, Amanda Anisimova, was eliminated from the competition, having been defeated by Diane Parry of France.
