Potapova downs defending champion Gauff and reaches the round of 16 at Roland Garros

In the second set, Potapova improved and forced a tiebreak, which she clearly won 7:1. In the decisive third set, she fought her way to a 6:4 victory despite developing cramps in her right serving arm and converted her first match point.

Cramps and Perseverance

"It's hard for me to find words. I'm just so happy. We had an incredible fight from the first point to the last," Potapova said in the on-court interview.

The physical strain was noticeable on the 25-year-old after the match. "Midway through the third set, I felt it coming in my shoulder. But I focused on continuing to fight and finishing the match positively. The cramp came after the relaxation following the win. That's part of tennis. I'm fine," she explained.

With her advance to the round of 16, Potapova is the first Austrian since Sybille Bammer in 2007 to reach the last 16 at Roland Garros. In 1999, Barbara Schwartz and Sylvia Plischke even reached the quarterfinals as ÖTV players.

Historical Dimension for Austria

Potapova herself ranked the success as one of the greatest of her career: "I think I've had great successes before, but this victory ranks very high, among the top three."

The match took place at the same time as the men's Champions League football final, but this did not detract from the attention on the women's match.

Potapova is currently ranked 30th in the world rankings, and her career-best ranking of 21st is within reach after the tournament. Gauff was the world number four at the time of the match.

Potapova has now won the last three encounters against Gauff, having already beaten the American in Stuttgart and Miami in 2023. Gauff had won the first two duels.

The Next Challenge: Kalinskaja

The Austrian attributes her development to several factors: "It's a combination of experience, becoming more mature and mentally stronger. A lot has also changed around me, I've worked on new things, and it has all had a positive effect."

Regarding her playing style, she said: "I feel good, and it gives me extra strength knowing that I don't give away easy points. Every opponent has to fight hard for a point."

In the round of 16, Potapova will face the 22nd-seeded Russian Anna Kalinskaja on Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Monday at 11:00 AM. The 27-year-old defeated Colombian Camila Osorio 6:3, 0:6, 6:2 in her third-round match.

Kalinskaja, who is ranked 24th in the world rankings, four places ahead of Potapova, has won both previous encounters against the Austrian: in Moscow in the first round in 2019 and in the qualifying rounds in Cincinnati in 2022.

Outlook and Night Session Premiere

"She is also a great player. Everything is different since our last match, both have developed further, it will be another big fight, and I will make sure to deliver my best performance physically and mentally," Potapova looked ahead.

The match will be broadcast live on ServusTV. Potapova has a rest day for regeneration after the grueling victory against Gauff. "This is not the end yet, it's still going on," she said fighting.

On Monday evening, a prestigious women's night session is also scheduled: Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus will face Naomi Osaka from Japan on Court Philippe Chatrier at 8:15 PM. It is only the fifth time since the introduction of the night session in 2021 that two women have been given this slot – and the first time in three years.

The total prize money for the French Open 2026 is 61,723,000 Euros. Potapova defeated Katie Boulter from Great Britain 5:7, 6:4, 6:2 in the second round after losing the first set.

Her clay court season so far has been promising: she reached the final at her home tournament in Linz, the semifinals in Madrid, and the round of 16 in Rome – all WTA 1000 events.

When asked about her first name, which is often shortened to "Anna," she said: "It's easier to call me Anna, Anastasia is too long. I'm used to being called Anna, it's the short version of my name, it's not a problem for me."