PARIS (AP) 鈥� finally met a player in Paris who could match her court coverage in long baseline rallies.
Anastasia Potapova ended Gauff’s title defense in the third round with a 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 victory over the American on Saturday.
鈥淪he was able to finish the points and I wasn鈥檛,鈥� Gauff said. “Just not capitalizing on certain shots.”
The match was played before mostly empty stands inside Court Philippe-Chatrier as French fans stayed away to watch the .
came with a victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the final at Roland Garros a year ago.
The 30th-ranked Potapova, who was born in Russia but now represents Austria, improved to 3-2 in her career against Gauff. She’s having quite a clay season after reaching a final in Linz, Austria, and the semifinals of the Madrid Open as a qualifier.
The fourth-ranked Gauff was coming off a run to the Italian Open final. She was beaten in Rome by Elina Svitolina 鈥� another player who can match her on long rallies.
鈥淚 lost the same way in Rome as I did here,鈥� Gauff said. 鈥淵ou never want to lose the same way back-to-back times.鈥�
When Gauff shanked a forehand wide on Potapova’s first match point, Potapova fell on her back and covered her eyes as she stuck her feet up in the air in celebration. Gauff waved to the crowd and quickly walked off court when it was finished.
鈥淐oco is such a champion. I respect her so much,鈥� Potapova said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been fighting for the last point and here I am.鈥�
It wasn鈥檛 a matter of mistakes for Gauff 鈥� she hit three double-faults to her opponent鈥檚 eight and had 46 unforced errors to Potapova鈥檚 56. It was more that Potapova controlled more in the longer rallies and wore Gauff out.
Gauff ran a total of 2,309 meters (yards) to Potapova鈥檚 2,090.
Osaka鈥檚 fashion statement
Earlier, beat 18-year-old American opponent Iva Jovic 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-4 after nearly three hours 鈥� in her 100th Grand Slam match 鈥� to set up a round-of-16 meeting with top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka beat Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 7-5.
For her second-straight match, over a sequined gold playing dress during her walk-on. But this time her outfit was offset by a tannish-gold colored train that stretched all the way down to the red clay on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a surprise every time,鈥� Osaka said of her fashion choices.
鈥淔or me, it would be weirder to wear a normal tennis kit, almost, at this point. It鈥檚 the fun of it. For a long time, I didn鈥檛 have fun for a little bit. And you guys know that period of time in my life,鈥� Osaka added, referring to how in 2021 she withdrew from the French Open because of . 鈥淣ow I just want things to be fun, and I want to make it exciting for myself.鈥�
Osaka鈥檚 outfits are planned a year and a half in advance and require at least four fittings.
鈥淲e have so many fittings throughout the year because your weight can fluctuate or the fabric can change a little bit,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here is a lot of effort that goes into it.鈥�
Heat wave ending
For the seventh straight day of the tournament, it was , with the temperature rising to 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit). The heat is expected to break for Sunday and the second week.
Midway through Osaka鈥檚 victory, a spectator was carried out of the stadium on a stretcher because of an apparent illness.
On the court, French player Diane Parry beat 2019 semifinalist Amdanda Anisimova 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3), and Diana Shnaider of Russia defeated Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine 7-5, 6-1 after on social media amid the war between their countries.
In men鈥檚 action, Alejandro Tabilo ended the run of with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (9) victory.
Juan Manuel Cerundolo followed up with another five-set victory, beating Martin Landaluce 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (8) in 5 hours, 58 minutes 鈥� the longest French Open match in six years.
Cerundolo will next meet 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, who required 5 hours, 13 minutes to defeat Francisco Comesana 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (13).
Flavio Cobolli beat Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 and will next meet unsung American , who defeated Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3.
Later, Felix Auger-Aliassime plays American opponent Brandon Nakashima. At No. 4, Auger-Aliassime is the highest-seeded player remaining in the top half of the draw after .
Organizers moved the small at the back of the court to behind the line judges after complaints about safety.
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AP Sports Writer Jerome Pugmire contributed to this report.
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