Gauff Suffers Surprising Defeat in Initial Post-French Open Title Competition
Tennis newcomer Coco Gauff, fresh from her triumph at the French Open, endured an unexpected defeat on her comeback trail, losing 6-3, 6-3 to qualifier Wang Xinyu in the second round of the Berlin Open.
Gauff, ranked second in the world, recorded 25 unforced errors and seven double faults in her defeat, which unfolded on the grass courts that serve as a rehearsal for Wimbledon.
Despite a bye in the initial round, Gauff encountered turbulence on the surface transition from clay to grass, evident in her off-balance play throughout the contest.
Wang, at No. 49 in the rankings, was initially content with wresting the first set from the French Open champion. "I would've been thrilled with just the first set, given my opponent's caliber," Wang revealed in her post-match interview.
Emboldened by her victory in the opening set, Wang continued her steady performance, maintaining pressure on Gauff's serves, particularly on second-serve returns.
Reflecting on her triumph, Wang said, "After I won the first set, I took a moment to savor the achievement. Playing the French Open champion and taking the first set was a surreal experience. Regardless of how the next sets unfolded, I cherished the minute to revel in it."
Gauff will face Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals following Wang's victorious run. Meanwhile, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka overcame Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (6) in a delayed match, securing her quarterfinals slot against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
Interestingly, Sabalenka lost to Gauff at the French Open final and later expressed regret for her unprofessional comments after theParis title match[5]. Gauff's loss in Berlin suggests the French Open victory may have momentarily shaken her focus and confidence.
Coco Gauff, despite her recent triumph in tennis at the French Open, struggled to adapt her game on the grass courts in the Berlin Open, losing to Wang Xinyu, a qualifier ranked 49th in the world. In the post-match interview, Wang revealed her satisfaction with taking the first set from the French Open champion, cherishing the surreal experience.
