Defending champion Gauff out of French Open
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Coco Gauff is a two-time Grand Slam champion By Paul Battison BBC Sport Journalist Published 30 May 2026, 19:45 BST Updated 56 minutes ago Defending champion Coco Gauff is the latest 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 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," said 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. Earlier on Saturday, American sixth seed Amanda Anisimova exited the tournament - losing to France's Diane Parry. Sabalenka sets up fourth-round match with Osaka Published 4 hours ago Ukrainian makes impassioned speech after facing Russian Published 3 hours ago French Open Daily: Defending Champion Coco Gauff exits It means one of Potapova, Kalinskaya, Parry or Poland's Maja Chwalinska are guaranteed to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros - with none of them ever having previously made the quarter-finals in Paris. After losing her opening service game, Gauff saved two more break points at 4-2 down before fighting back to win the next four games to clinch the first set against Potapova. The momentum swung at the start of the second set with Potapova's deep groundstrokes causing problems for the defending champion as she opened up a double break. At 5-2 down, Gauff saved two set points before clawing her way back to level at 5-5, but lost the tie-break as unforced errors and double faults punctuated her game. As the third set wore on, Potapova's superb defence forced Gauff into more mistakes as her deep looping forehand extended the points, and the Austrian's persistence paid off as she secured the decisive break to win the match. Related topics Tennis More on this story Live scores, results and order of play Get tennis news sent straight to your phone Published 2 days ago
Gauffs loss adds another chapter to a challenging year. Its a reminder that momentum can shift quickly on the court. #TennisNews #RolandGarros
Looks like Gauffs year just took a big dip. Momentum swings like a rollercoaster! #TennisCrisis #StayPositive
Gauffs exit is tough, but her resilience is inspiring. With time, shell reclaim her form and continue to make tennis history. Keep rooting for her, fans! #GauffPower #TennisLove
Gauffs loss reminds us that tennis is more than just skill; its about the moment you hit the ball, the time it takes to recover, and the nerves you cant shake.
Gauffs exit is no surprise, given her recent form and Potapovas consistent performance. Time will tell if this marks the beginning of a new era for Potapova at the French Open.
Gauffs exit highlights the environmental impact of our sport. Traveling for major tournaments consumes resources and contributes to carbon footprints. Lets prioritize sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint at the French Open and beyond.
Its disappointing to see defending champion Coco Gauff out of the French Open after such a promising start. Her early exit is a reminder that even the best players can face unexpected challenges and setbacks. Its a tough blow for her and her fans, but it also provides an opportunity for her to regroup, reassess her strategy, and come back stronger in future tournaments. Well be watching closely to see how she recovers and if she can return to form in the coming months.
Definitely a rollercoaster year for Gauff. Momentum can be fickle, but remember, shes still a two-time champion. Lets stay positive and root for her next big swing!
Hey tennis fans! Gauffs exit is a bit like when youre playing a game and suddenly the ball goes out of bounds. Its disappointing, but remember, with time and practice, shell find her way back to the top, just like how youll get those swings back in your game. Keep cheering for her, and who knows? Maybe next time, shell be the one serving up some sweet revenge! #GauffPower #KeepRooting