Defending champion Coco Gauff crashes as Potap shocks French Open

Defending champion Coco Gauff crashed out of the French Open on Saturday after Anastasia Potapova fought back from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 in the third round at Roland Garros.

Fifty-one weeks after lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff walked off the same court defending her title. Potapova, who has seen a resurgence during the clay season, put in a composed show in the crucial moments to secure one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

Gauff emerged on course for a spot in the second week after recovering from an early deficit in the opening set. After falling 2-4 down, the American reeled off four straight games to take the set and take control of the match.

In the second set, the tempo changed dramatically. Potapova jumped out to a 5-1 lead and had two opportunities to serve out the set, but Gauff mounted another comeback and won five games in a row. On Potap’s serve at 5-6, Gauff moved to within two points of victory, but the Austrian held firm before taking the tiebreak 7-1 as errors crept into the defending champion’s game.

Gauff made a quick run in the deciding set to take a 3-1 lead, while Potapova appeared to be wearing down physically. Still, the 24-year-old dug deep again and clawed her way back into the match as Gauff looked to turn her advantage into a winning position.

The decisive blow came when Gauff served at 4:5 in the last set. A double fault and ill-timed drop shot gave Potapova a match point opportunity, and moments later Gauff sent a forehand into the stands to end her quest for a second straight French Open title.

The defeat capped a mixed campaign on clay for Gauff, who battled illness and an early retirement in Madrid before finishing second in Rome. Meanwhile, Potapova continued her impressive run to secure a place in the fourth round.

PARRY STUNS ANISIMA

While Gauff’s exit stunned the Paris crowd, home favorite Diane Parry ensured there was still plenty to cheer about at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The 23-year-old became the last French woman left in the women’s singles draw after producing a gutsy 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3) victory over sixth seed Amanda Anisima to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

Parry, who is ranked 92nd in the world, recovered from a slow start in the opening set to overcome a 1-3 deficit to win five games in a row. Anisima, a two-time Grand Slam finalist from 2025 and a former Roland Garros semi-finalist, responded by taking the second set to force a decider.

The final set proved to be a thrilling affair. Parry raced into a 4-3 lead before Anisimova immediately came back to set up a dramatic finish. Roaring on from the home crowd, the Frenchwoman raised her level in the tiebreak, taking early control and sealing victory with the first match point after two hours and 44 minutes.

As chants rang out around Philippe-Chatrier and supporters waved flags in celebration, Parry soaked in the moment. She reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, giving the host nation a player to rally around after another busy day at Roland Garros.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

30 May 2026 23:56 IST