How Anastasia Potapova produced match of her life to leave defending champion Coco Gauff ‘devastated’ after French Open loss

React to this story

The 2026 French Open served up yet another momentous upset on Saturday when reigning champion Coco Gauff surrendered a one-set lead to crash out against Anastasia Potapova.

Highlights: Potapova stuns reigning champion Gauff with comeback win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Gauff, seeded fourth at Roland-Garros, followed men’s top seed Jannik Sinner and 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic to become the third household name in three days to suffer early elimination.

That followed women’s second seed Elena Rybakina’s second-round exit, while Gauff’s defeat on Philippe-Chatrier was preceded by sixth seed Amanda Anisimova falling to French home favourite Diane Parry.

”It’s her day, it’s her court, it’s her match,” seven-time French Open champion Chris Evert said on TNT Sports.

Wimbledon

Muchova 'shaking' after Gauff victory sets up maiden Wimbledon final

11/07/2026 at 09:41

”She kept coming back. She believed in herself, she was patient and disciplined with herself. And Coco, who was one of the favourites to win this, has to be devastated.

”On paper…I really thought Anisimova and Gauff would come out, that they were the favourites, that they wouldn’t really have a lot of trouble.

”But they played two players who are really emerging and who played the matches of their lives. I have never seen Potapova play like that.”

'Bringing the best they have' - Potapova wins 'point of the match' against Gauff

Video credit: TNT Sports

Potapova, seeded 28th, is ranked 30th in the world, but her staggering win saw her progress to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time in her career, after doing the same in Paris two years ago.

She did it the hard way, losing the opening set and going two points from defeat in the second after surrendering a double break, before fighting back to force a decider in a dominant tie-break and going on to claim a 4-6 7-6(1) 6-4 win.

It continued an impressive recent run from the 25-year-old, who reached the final in Linz, the semi-finals at the Madrid Open and the last 16 in Rome ahead of Roland-Garros.

Speaking in the TNT Sports studio after the match, former British No. 1 Tim Henman explained where the Austrian got the better of an opponent with two major titles to her name.

Gauff wins 'phenomenal' rally to save break point - 'Are you kidding me?'

Video credit: TNT Sports

”It’s another shock and Coco will be pretty upset with her performance,” Henman said.

”She got the first set under her belt, she was behind in the second, then played a pretty terrible tie-break, making so many unforced errors.

”She was up a break in the third, but Potapova, to give her credit, she kept going for her shots. Once you get into that type of scenario, the pressure builds and you get tight.

”We know Coco can struggle on that forehand side and Potapova played with a lot more freedom.

”She was aggressive from the back of the court and in the right moments she kept the ball on the island, and it paid off. But that’s another massive upset for this tournament.”

Potapova ‘unbelievably proud’ of herself

Speaking to Mats Wilander on court after the match, Potapova explained just what the feat meant to her.

”I don’t have any words right now. I’m extremely happy and the fight that we could show, both of us, I mean Coco is such a champion and I respect her so much,” Potapova said.

”I’m unbelievably proud of myself that I stayed there, that I’ve been fighting for the last point. And here I am.”

Asked if it was the biggest win of her career, she replied: ”I’ve had a few before, but for sure it’s up there. I would put it in the top three for sure.”

Potapova says stunning Gauff among 'top three' wins of her career - 'Unbelievably proud of myself'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Potapova’s reward is a fourth-round clash with 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya.

The eliminations of Gauff and Anisimova have opened up that section of the draw, with the winner of Potapova’s next match set to face Parry or Maja Chwalinska for a place in the French Open semi-finals.

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to watch live on HBO Max.

Wimbledon