Defending Champion Coco Gauff Eliminated in French Open Upset

A major upset has rattled the French Open as defending champion Coco Gauff was eliminated in the third round. Gauff fell to Anastasia Potapova in a grueling three-set match (4-6, 7-6, 6-4) that lasted over two hours. The defeat marks the end of Gauff’s hope for a repeat performance in Paris and leaves the women’s draw wide open for a new contender.

Potapova’s resilient performance in the second-set tiebreak proved to be the turning point, as Gauff struggled with double faults and unforced errors during the closing stages. The loss is particularly surprising given Gauff's strong form leading into the tournament, where she was widely considered the favorite to reach the final.

The exit of the defending champion coincides with a broader shift in individual sport standings this month. While Gauff exits Paris, other top-tier events in golf and tennis are seeing similar volatility as the summer schedule intensifies. Fans now look to the remaining top seeds to see if they can survive a tournament that has already proven treacherous for the favorites.