Defending champion Gauff out of French OpenImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Coco Gauff is a two-time Grand Slam championPublished13 minutes agoDefending champion Coco Gauff is the recent big name to exit the French Open after a third-round defeat by Anastasia Potapova.In a match with multiple big swings of momentum, American fourth seed Gauff lost 4-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to Austria’s Potapova.The win over two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff means Potapova is into the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time.Gauff follows men’s top seed Jannik Sinner’s and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in being knocked out in the first week in Paris.The 22-year-old beat Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final but came into Roland Garros having not won a title in 2026.Potapova’s magnificent defence caused problems for Gauff throughout and the 25-year-old was seen clutching her shoulder after the match, following a number of bruising rallies.”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,” mentioned Potapova.”The fight we could show, both of us – Coco is such a champion and I respect her so much.”I’m unbelievably proud of myself that I stayed there, that I was fighting until the last point.”Potapova will play Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya in the last 16 after her 6-3 0-6 6-2 victory over Camila Osorio.Related topicsTennis
