Coco Gauff's reign as French Open champion came to a stunning end on Saturday as she fell to a third-round defeat against Anastasia Potapova. The American fourth seed, who had reached at least the quarter-finals in Paris for the last five years, lost 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 to the 28th seed from Austria.
Gauff Rues Missed Opportunities
Gauff led by a break in the deciding set before losing five of the final six games. Reflecting on her performance, she said: "[I was] just not capitalising on certain shots. I mean, at 3-all [in set three] I had a couple of break points and missed, I think, two backhands or three backhands, which just can't happen in that scenario."
She added: "I feel like I'm practising well, and when the moments get there, I'm not quite translating that. I do it at times, and then I also don't do it. I think it's just a learning experience, and hopefully when I'm in this position again, I can make better decisions."
Potapova's Stellar Clay Season Continues
Potapova, who switched allegiance from Russia to Austria, arrived in Paris as a dark horse after a strong clay-court season that included a semi-final at the Madrid Open. "I've been here for 10 years on tour," said the 25-year-old. "This is the first time I managed to do this well and, yeah, to stay this consistent. Well, maybe it's a combination of everything, of the experience that I have from previous years, of also a maturity that I [have] grown up, that I changed the mentality in my head."
Men's Draw Wide Open After Upsets
With Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic eliminated earlier in the week, the top half of the men's draw is now a world of opportunity. Only one player in that section, Matteo Berrettini, has ever reached a grand slam final. Saturday was dominated by marathon five-set matches as unseeded players battled for a chance at glory.
Cerúndolo Wins Third-Longest Match in Tournament History
Juan Martin Cerúndolo, who defeated Sinner on Thursday, followed up with an epic 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (7), 7-6 (8) victory over Martin Landaluce. The match lasted five hours and 58 minutes, making it the third-longest in French Open history and the longest since the final-set tiebreak was introduced in 2022.
Berrettini Survives Match Points
Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, saved two match points to defeat Francisco Comesaña 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (13) in five hours and 13 minutes. Matteo Arnaldi also went the distance, beating Raphaël Collignon 6-4, 6-7 (5), 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (4) in four hours and 58 minutes. Zachary Svajda defeated 25th seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4.
Kouamé's Run Ends
The surprise run of 17-year-old Frenchman Moïse Kouamé ended with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (9) loss to Alejandro Tabilo. "Today I lost. Maybe tomorrow I'll be winning, and I'm happy because I played well," said Kouamé. "I have learned an awful lot about myself, and this loss, perhaps, has given me more than the two wins."
Cobolli Cruises Through
Flavio Cobolli, the 10th seed from Italy, has yet to drop a set. He advanced to the fourth round with a dominant 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win over 18th seed Learner Tien.
