Did Gauff's French Open Glory Fade in Berlin?
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Synopsis
Coco Gauff's return to the Berlin Open saw her suffer a surprising defeat against Wang Xinyu. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka overcame challenges to advance in the tournament. Discover how these top players navigated the competition in Berlin.
Key Takeaways
- Coco Gauff faced an unexpected defeat in her first match post-French Open.
- Wang Xinyu achieved her third Top 10 victory against Gauff.
- Aryna Sabalenka overcame a slow start to reach the quarterfinals.
- Marketa Vondrousova is on the comeback trail after injuries.
- The Berlin Open continues to showcase thrilling matchups among top players.
Berlin, June 20 (NationPress) - After her remarkable victory at the French Open, women's singles champion Coco Gauff faced an unexpected setback upon her return to Germany. In her inaugural match at the Berlin Open, Gauff was defeated by China's Wang Xinyu with a score of 6-3, 6-3, marking her first match since her triumph on June 7.
Competing against the two-time Grand Slam champion, Wang, currently ranked World No. 49, achieved her third career Top 10 victory in just 1 hour and 15 minutes. Earlier this year, she had previously defeated Jessica Pegula twice, including a match at Wimbledon that led her to the fourth round. Wang's exceptional performance on grass courts has continued in Germany.
Aside from her win over Gauff, she has also triumphed against Daria Kasatkina and 2022 Berlin champion Ons Jabeur, securing four victories so far after advancing through the qualifying rounds at the WTA 500 event.
The 23-year-old Wang showcased her skills by winning four consecutive games to take the first set and five in a row from 3-1 down in the second. She is set to face the No. 8 seed in the quarterfinals.
SABALENKA OVERCOMES CHALLENGES
In another exciting matchup, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka also encountered difficulties in her first match since her loss to Gauff in the Roland Garros final two weeks ago.
Despite facing an overnight delay after the first set, the top seed at the Berlin Tennis Open managed to come back from a 4-2 deficit in the second set, ultimately defeating qualifier Rebeka Masarova with a score of 6-2, 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Sabalenka has reached the last eight in Berlin for the second consecutive year and will next take on 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who recently triumphed over Katerina Siniakova.
Earlier in the day, another former Wimbledon champion, Marketa Vondrousova, secured her spot in the quarterfinals, setting up a rematch against Ons Jabeur from the 2023 Wimbledon final after defeating Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3 in a battle lasting 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Having faced challenges following her title defense at the All England Club last summer, Vondrousova missed the latter half of last year due to an arm issue and shoulder surgery. She also experienced a thigh injury during her comeback tournament in Adelaide in January, which kept her from participating in the Australian Open. However, the win against Shnaider marks her fourth victory in six matches since returning from her hiatus.
Point of View
It's crucial to provide unbiased coverage of significant sporting events. The unexpected outcomes in Berlin showcase the unpredictability of tennis, reminding us that even champions can face challenges. We stand by our commitment to delivering accurate and insightful news that reflects the spirit of the game.
NationPress
19/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Coco Gauff lose to at the Berlin Open?
Coco Gauff was defeated by China's Wang Xinyu with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
What round did Gauff reach in the Berlin Open?
Coco Gauff was eliminated in the second round of the Berlin Open.
How did Aryna Sabalenka perform in her first match?
Aryna Sabalenka won her first match against Rebeka Masarova, coming from behind to win 6-2, 7-5.
Who will Sabalenka face next in the tournament?
Sabalenka will face 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals.
What challenges did Marketa Vondrousova face before her victory?
Marketa Vondrousova dealt with injuries and missed significant time before her recent performances.
