Coco Gauff stunned in first match since winning French Open title

Coco Gauff, the newly crowned French Open champion, faced an unexpected defeat in her first match since winning the title. Competing at the Berlin Open, Gauff lost to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu in straight sets, with a score of 6-3, 6-3. Despite being ranked second in the world and having recently secured her second Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros, Gauff struggled with her performance, recording a staggering 25 unforced errors and seven double faults throughout the match. This match marked a significant moment for Gauff, as it was her return to the court after a triumphant victory in Paris, making the loss even more surprising for fans and analysts alike. Gauff received a bye to the second round of this grass-court tournament, which serves as a warm-up event for Wimbledon, and her early exit raises questions about her form heading into the prestigious tournament.

Wang Xinyu, ranked 49th in the world, expressed her excitement after defeating the French Open champion. Following her first set win, Wang took a moment to appreciate her achievement, stating that she felt a sense of joy simply by competing against such a high-caliber opponent. She noted that regardless of the outcome of the subsequent sets, winning the first was a significant milestone for her. Wang credited her strong serving and effective pressure on Gauff's second serve as key factors in her victory. Looking ahead, Wang is set to face Paula Badosa in the quarter-finals of the Berlin Open, while top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who previously lost to Gauff in the French Open final, also advanced in the tournament after defeating Rebeka Masarova. Sabalenka’s match had been interrupted due to court conditions, but she managed to secure her place against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the next round, further adding to the competitive atmosphere of the event.