Defending champion Gauff knocked out of the French Open by Potapova

Reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff was defeated in three sets by Austrian Anastasia Potapova, ending her title defence on Saturday.

The two‑time Grand Slam winner lost in the third round 4‑6, 7‑6 (7‑1), 6‑4 to the 28th seed, who broke Gauff once in the deciding set.

Gauff said that, unlike her experience as the 2024 US Open title‑holder, the pressure of defending the French Open title had not affected her play.

“I think at the US Open it did a lot more but honestly this time it didn’t. I wasn’t really nervous,” the fourth seed told reporters. “That’s what’s more frustrating because I felt like I learned a lot from that US Open experience and I’m a better player since then and I just don’t think I portrayed that today.”

Gauff fell behind after losing her first service game, but broke Potapova in the eighth and tenth games to take an early lead.

Potapova answered with two consecutive breaks, moving ahead 3‑0 at the start of the second set. The 25‑year‑old’s serve faltered, and the next five games produced breaks, with Potapova missing two set points on her own serve.

Gauff held her first service game of the set, forcing Potapova to serve again. The two‑time major winner broke the world No. 30 to level at 5‑5, then held again. Potapova recovered her serve to force a tie‑break.

A double fault dropped Gauff 5‑0 behind, but she finally broke when Potapova overhit a backhand. The Austrian won the next two points to force a deciding set.

– ‘Stay in the moment’ –

In the third set, Gauff broke Potapova in the third game to take a 1‑0 lead, but the score equalised at 3‑3. A double fault in the next game gave Gauff two break‑back points, but Potapova held. A powerful backhand winner and a mistimed Gauff forehand from deuce gave Potapova a 5‑4 lead, and from 30‑0 Gauff unraveled. Potapova celebrated as the American retired from the tournament.

“I think I’ve had a few (big wins) before, but I’d put it top three for sure,” Potapova said on court after earning a career‑third win over Gauff.

She said the key to her victory was ignoring the score.

“I kept on saying to myself that I don’t need to focus on the scoreboard, just focus on every point,” she said. “If you manage to do that, then maybe I will get my chances to win. So, yeah, the key was just stay in the moment no matter what is going on and try your best.”

Potapova will face Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya for a quarter‑final place.

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