Gauff is eliminated in Paris after losing to Potapova.

Coco Gauff saw her title defense at the French Open come to an unexpected and dramatic end, as she was eliminated in the third round by Austrian Anastasia Potapova, 4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, in a match played on the almost dark Court Philippe-Chatrier, with empty stands as French fans chose to watch the Champions League final instead.

The young American, who won her second Grand Slam title a year ago by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the final, faced an opponent of equal caliber in Potapova, ranked 30th, who not only matched her movement and endurance in long rallies from the baseline but also took advantage of the lackluster atmosphere to impose a solid and determined game.

Potapova, born in Russia but now competing for Austria, has now won three out of five encounters against Gauff and is enjoying an excellent clay season, having reached the final in Linz and the semifinals of the Madrid Masters, where she entered as a qualifier. Her performance at the French tournament confirms her rise and ability to surprise the stars of women’s tennis.

For her part, Gauff, ranked fourth in the world, arrived in Paris confident after reaching the final of the Rome tournament, but she was unable to replicate her previous performances and was eliminated in an intense match, decided by details and mental strength.

This setback, although disappointing, highlights the growth of women’s tennis, where the battle for titles is increasingly unpredictable and where youth promises to dominate in the coming years. For Gauff, the mission now is to regain confidence and prepare for the challenges ahead in the calendar.

The French Open continues to deliver surprises and tests for the main title contenders, in a scenario that promises much more excitement and twists until the final stretch.

This article first appeared on [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).