Coco Gauff, the newly crowned French Open champion, faced a shock defeat in her comeback match at the Berlin Open, losing 6-3, 6-3 to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu. Gauff, ranked second globally and fresh from her second Grand Slam triumph, struggled with 25 unforced errors and seven double faults during the match. This was her first outing since winning at Roland-Garros less than two weeks prior.
Wang, currently ranked 49th, expressed her surprise and delight at winning against the accomplished player. She mentioned that she had already felt accomplished after winning the first set and focused on enjoying competing against the French Open champion. Wang felt she performed well overall, particularly with her serve and return strategy, and now looks forward to facing Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals.
In another match, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka progressed by defeating Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (6). This match had been temporarily halted due to slippery court conditions. Sabalenka, who had previously lost to Gauff in the French Open final, extended her apologies for her comments made after that match, labeling them as “unprofessional.” She will next compete against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals.
Overall, Gauff’s unexpected exit highlighted the unpredictability of tennis, especially as the season transitions to Wimbledon, while Wang’s victory showcased her potential to challenge higher-ranked players.
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