Defending champion Coco Gauff crashed out in the third round of the French Open in a shock loss to Anastasia Potapova.
The American claimed her second grand slam title in Paris 12 months ago but has endured struggles since, in particular with her serve, and fell to a 4-6 7-6 (1) 6-4 defeat.
Gauff looked to have turned things around after a poor start but she was never comfortable and Russian-turned-Austrian Potapova, who has been one of the form players of the spring, clinched arguably the biggest win of her career.
Gauff was left frustrated by a failure to seize the big moments but insisted it was not down to the pressure of being defending champion.
“I was nervous in my first round but, after that, I wasn’t really nervous going into today, and I wasn’t really thinking about it,” she said.
“I think that’s what’s more frustrating, because I felt like I learned a lot from that US Open experience and am a better player since then. I just don’t think I portrayed that today.”
Potapova almost dropped out of the top 100 three months ago but she arrived in Paris seeded 28th following a brilliant European clay swing and has maintained her momentum here.
The 25-year-old was 3-1 down in the final set but a match that featured 14 breaks of serve was always likely to have a final twist, and so it proved.
Potapova changed to representing Austria in December and, asked if that had contributed to her recent success, she said: “I think it’s also been a coincidence, which is nice, but also at the same time I do feel free, I feel better, I feel the support from Austrian people.
“For sure, it’s given me an extra boost of energy to fight for those wins.”
Fourth seed Gauff follows world number two Elena Rybakina in making an early exit and leaves Iga Swiatek as the only former champion left in the women’s draw.
Aryna Sabalenka will face Naomi Osaka in a blockbuster fourth-round clash.
World number one Sabalenka is yet to drop a set and claimed a 6-0 7-5 victory over Russian-turned-Australian Daria Kasatkina, while Osaka survived a close battle against American teenager Iva Jovic.
The 16th seed’s 7-6 (5) 6-7 (3) 6-4 victory means she is through to the last 16 in Paris for the first time, where she will take on the top seed in a fourth meeting.
Osaka famously won their first match back in 2018 on the way to her maiden grand slam title at the US Open but Sabalenka has won the last two, including a close battle on the clay in Madrid last month.
“I feel like I played a pretty good match in Madrid,” said Osaka. “I think I just dipped in the second and third set. Hopefully just keep the consistency and keep trying to be aggressive. Whatever happens, happens.”
Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has been heavily criticised for not scheduling women’s contests in the one-match night session on Court Philippe Chatrier, with the last one taking place back in 2023.
Whether this match makes the cut remains to be seen, and Osaka has mixed feelings about the idea.
“In one point, I understand, because they would be popcorn matches,” said the Japanese star.
“But I’m so used to not playing night matches here and playing night matches in the US Open or something like that that I don’t even associate this tournament with night matches.”
Having not faced each other for nearly eight years, Osaka and Sabalenka will now meet for a third time in less than three months.
“It’s great to see her back on her level,” said Sabalenka. “Maybe not at her best level, but she’s back, she’s fighting, she’s building her level. She’s a great player, great person.
“I really enjoy our battles. It’s high-level matches, and I really enjoy when somebody pushes me to the limit.”
France’s Diane Parry, who arrived at her post-match press conference wearing a Paris St Germain shirt, pulled off the result of the day with a 6-3 4-6 7-6 (10/3) victory over Wimbledon and US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova.
