Defending champion Gauff out of French Open

Defending champion Gauff out of French OpenImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Coco Gauff is a two-time Grand Slam championPublished3 minutes agoDefending 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's 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.Related topicsTennisSabalenka sets up fourth-round match with OsakaPublished2 hours agoUkrainian makes impassioned speech after facing RussianPublished1 hour agoMore on this storyLive scores, results and order of playGet tennis news sent straight to your phonePublished2 days ago