Defending champion Coco Gauff has been knocked out of the 2026 French Open after suffering a surprise third-round defeat to Anastasia Potapova.
Gatekeepers News reports that Gauff, the fourth seed and reigning Roland-Garros champion, lost 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 to the 28th-seeded Potapova in a dramatic contest in Paris.
The American appeared on course for victory after taking the opening set and holding a break advantage in the deciding set, but Potapova mounted a strong comeback to seal one of the biggest wins of her career.
Speaking after the match, Potapova described the victory as one of the most significant moments of her career, saying: “I’d put it top three for sure.”
Gauff, who won her maiden French Open title in 2025, admitted frustration over the manner of the defeat. She said, “I just don’t think I portrayed that today,” while insisting that the pressure of defending the title did not affect her performance.
The result marks Gauff’s earliest exit at Roland-Garros since making her tournament debut six years ago and adds to a series of major upsets that have shaken this year’s competition.
Potapova’s victory sends her into the fourth round, where she is set to face Anna Kalinskaya as she looks to continue her impressive run in the tournament.
Gauff’s elimination has also left the women’s draw wide open, with several top contenders already out of the competition.
The exits of Gauff and former champion Iga Świątek have increased expectations that Roland-Garros could crown a new champion this year.
