Defending champion Coco Gauff crashes out as Potapova delivers French Open shock

Defending champion Coco Gauff's French Open title defence came to a stunning end on Saturday as Austria's Anastasia Potapova battled back from a set down to secure a 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 victory and advance to the fourth round at Roland Garros.

In Short

• Defending champion Coco Gauff lost to Anastasia Potapova in the third round
• French favourite Diane Parry reached the fourth round, beating Amanda Anisimova
• Potapova came back from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 at Roland Garros

Defending champion Coco Gauff crashed out of the French Open on Saturday after Anastasia Potapova fought back from a set down to claim a 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 victory in the third round at Roland Garros.

Fifty-one weeks after lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff walked off the same court with her title defence over. Potapova, who has enjoyed a resurgence during the clay-court season, produced a composed display in the decisive moments to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

Gauff appeared on course for a place in the second week after recovering from an early deficit in the opening set. Having fallen 2-4 behind, the American reeled off four consecutive games to take the set and gain control of the contest.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. Potapova surged into a 5-1 lead and had two opportunities to serve out the set, only for Gauff to mount another comeback, winning five straight games. With Potapova serving at 5-6, Gauff moved within two points of victory, but the Austrian held firm before dominating the tiebreak 7-1 as errors crept into the defending champion's game.

Gauff quickly reasserted herself in the deciding set, racing to a 3-1 lead while Potapova appeared to be fading physically. Yet the 24-year-old dug deep once again, clawing her way back into the match as Gauff struggled to convert her advantage into a winning position.

The decisive blow came with Gauff serving at 4-5 in the final set. A double fault and an ill-judged drop shot handed Potapova a match point opportunity, and moments later Gauff sent a forehand into the stands, ending her bid for a second successive French Open title.

The defeat capped a mixed clay-court campaign for Gauff, who battled illness and an early exit in Madrid before finishing runner-up in Rome. Potapova, meanwhile, continued her impressive run of form to book a place in the fourth round.

PARRY STUNS ANISIMOVA

While Gauff's exit stunned the Paris crowd, home favourite Diane Parry ensured there was still plenty to cheer about on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The 23-year-old became the last Frenchwoman remaining in the women's singles draw after producing a gutsy 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3) victory over sixth seed Amanda Anisimova to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

Ranked 92nd in the world, Parry recovered from a slow start in the opening set, overturning a 1-3 deficit by winning five games in a row. Anisimova, a two-time Grand Slam finalist in 2025 and a former Roland Garros semi-finalist, responded by taking the second set to force a decider.

The final set proved to be a tense affair. Parry broke for a 4-3 lead before Anisimova immediately broke back, setting up a dramatic finish. Roared on by the home crowd, the Frenchwoman raised her level in the tiebreak, taking control early and sealing victory on her first match point after two hours and 44 minutes.

As chants echoed around Philippe-Chatrier and supporters waved flags in celebration, Parry soaked in the moment. For the first time in her career, she had reached the second week of a Grand Slam, giving the host nation a player to rally behind after another eventful day at Roland Garros.

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