Sensation in Paris: Potapova throws out the defending champion

The beginning was promising: Potapowa immediately took the serve from Gauff to zero, played variably and repeatedly scored points with her hard groundstrokes. In a high-class game, Gauff managed the re-break to make it 4:4. With, of all things, a double fault, Potapova enabled her great opponent to win the set.

But Potapova also pulled away in the second set. And this time she only stayed focused in the first phase, but had set points at 5:2. But then Gauff showed off her class and escaped into the tie-break – but there the US star suddenly lost her role and the neo-Austrian won the set 7:1.

Strong finish

In the deciding set, Gauff initially caught himself, led 3:1, but then fell behind and Potapowa took advantage of her chances and suddenly led 4:3. At 4:4, Potapova remained more focused and played the game home. “It was a great fight until the end. This win is in the top three,” said the 25-year-old.

The Russian, seeded number 22, is now waiting in the round of 16 Anna Kalinskaya. Given our recent success, this is a completely doable task.

In any case, Potapowa is the first Austrian round of 16 in Paris since Sybille Bammer (2007). We made it to the quarterfinals Petra Schwarz-Ritter (1994), today’s NÖTV president, Sylvia Plischke and Barbara Schwartz (both 1999).