Defending French Open champion Coco Gauff suffered an additional setback after being eliminated from the Grand Slam tournament by Anastasia Potapova.
Gauff’s struggles at major tournaments persisted on Saturday, when she became the latest highly ranked player to exit the French Open earlier than anticipated, losing to Austria’s Potapova in the third round, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6.
Fellow American and world No. 6 Amanda Anisimova also suffered defeat on Saturday as the French Open continues to deliver shocking upsets across both the men’s and women’s singles draws. Gauff’s loss not only dashed her hopes of retaining her French Open crown from last year, but it will also impact her world rankings.
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The American entered Roland Garros as the world No. 4, but her premature exit means she will drop out of the WTA top five for the first time since September 2024.
“I think I lost the same way in Rome as I did here, which is not good I think. You never want to lose the same way back to back times. And I feel like in Madrid it was also a similar thing, losing the same way,” Gauff said after the match.
“It’s one thing to lose, but I think today I competed. I fought my hardest. But I don’t think I played the way I wanted to in the crucial moments.”
Anastasia Potapova bounced back to win after losing the first set -Credit:Getty Images
Gauff was far from the form that won her a Grand Slam title on Saturday, a pattern that has become increasingly common for the American tennis star since her victory in Paris 12 months ago.
Since that triumph, she has failed to reach the quarterfinals in three of four majors, including a first-round elimination at Wimbledon in 2025.
Her serve has remained a persistent problem – an issue that prompted her to change coaches just days before the 2025 US Open – though on Saturday it was Potapova who hit eight double faults compared to Gauff’s three.
Nevertheless, the 22-year-old failed to take advantage of chances to close out points and sets.
Gauff is projected to fall to at least No. 6 in the WTA rankings and faces the possibility of being surpassed by fellow Americans Jessica Pegula and Anisimova.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 3 Iga Swiatek are still competing at Roland Garros and are considered the top favorites to claim the title, while No. 2 Elena Rybakina has already been knocked out in the second round.
Potapova, ranked No. 28 in the draw, will next play No. 22 Anna Kalinskaya in the fourth round. This represents only the second time the 25-year-old has progressed past the third round at a Grand Slam, having previously done so at Roland Garros in 2024.
“I don’t have any words now. Coco is such a champion,” Potapova said after her victory. “And I respect her so much. I’m unbelievably proud of myself as well that I fought until the last point. Yeah, here I am.”