Coco Gauff had a surprisingly tough match in the third round of the 2026 French Open. Her opponent, Anastasia Potapova, won the previous two meetings between them.
Gauff, a native of Delray Beach, Florida, entered Roland Garros as the reigning champion and is a favorite to win again this year. But the sweltering heat in Paris has taken out several of the game’s top stars over the first week, including second-seed Elena Rybakina in the women’s draw and Jannik Sinner, the overwhelming favorite on the men’s side.
The 22-year-old is seeking to become the first American woman since Monica Seles in 1992 to win back-to-back French Open titles. Follow along for live updates.
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Gauff evens second set
Gauff is rallying late in the set again. She finally held serve for the first time since her runaway to end the first, then forced Potapova into some bad shots to get to triple break point. Gauff’s backhand seems to be gaining power as the set returns to level. She’s won 11 of the past 13 points and seems ready to put this one away.
Gauff stays alive
Gauff had a chance to break Potapova for a third straight time and extend the second set, but she had two straight unforced errors off the left sideline and into the net on the right. She nearly lost the set on a strong backhand by Potapova on a second-serve return, but Gauff helped the chair umpire by pointing out the shot was just out. She finally got the break on her second attempt. It’s the seventh break of the set (four for Potapova, three for Gauff).
Gauff finally breaks Potapova but gives it right back
A lengthy game saw Gauff rush out to double break point, but she needed four break points and several returns to deuce to finally get on the board. Potapova failed a chance in the first set to get to 5-2, leading to Gauff’s furious comeback. No such luck this time though, as some mishits led to Gauff failing to get a single point on her next serve.
Potapova has five double faults to none for Gauff and has more unforced errors (29-23) early on, but Potapova is forcing the reigning champ into more difficult shots with a strong backhand when she gets into runs. Most importantly, aside from the end of the first set, Potapova hasn’t let Gauff take momentum for long.
Potapova blitzes Gauff to open second set
Potapova one-upped her hot start by taking the first three games from Gauff in Set 2, breaking her serve twice and wresting control of the match. She broke Gauff’s serve twice and could be on a beeline to a decisive third set. Potapova has won 13 of 19 points this set.
Coco Gauff storms back after early struggles
Potapova roared out to a 2-0 lead after winning eight of the match’s first nine points. She got it to 4-2 in the first set before Gauff started cleaning up her misses and forcing Potapova off her rhythm. Gauff broke two serves to take the first set.
Who is Anastasia Potapova?
Anastasia Potapova, 25, is ranked No. 30 in the world. Born in Russia but a citizen of Austria, Potapova is a three-time winner on the WTA Tour with her most recent title coming at the 2025 Transylvania Open in Romania, a WTA 250 event (three stages below a grand slam). Her highest career WTA ranking is 21st, achieved in 2023. She’s been on a good stretch during clay-court season, reaching the final at Linz before upsetting No. 2 Elena Rybikina en route to a semifinal appearance in Madrid.
She dropped the first set of the second round against Katie Boulter before rallying to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. She eased past Maya Joint in the opener 6-1, 6-2.
French Open draw
Here’s Coco Gauff’s schedule so far and what would lie ahead at the French Open.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Gauff vs Potapova French Open live updates: Coco Gauff wins tough 1st set
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
