Miami Open 2023: Coco Gauff crashes out with surprise defeat to Anastasia Potapova in third round

Sixth seed Coco Gauff crashed out of the Miami Open at the third round following a 7-6(8) 5-7 2-6 defeat to Anastasia Potapova, who claimed the biggest win of her career. The American favourite was forced to display her great battling abilities as she fought back from 5-2 down to take the opening set. Ad The 19-year-old then built a healthy lead in the second set only to see a dogged Potapova claw her way back from 5-3 down and take a rollercoaster match into a third and deciding set.

WTA Miami'We're not friends' — Kostyuk and Potapova refuse to shake hands after Miami Open matchYESTERDAY AT 16:59 But Gauff's forehand was badly exposed as she lost her way and Potapova took full advantage, as she reached the fourth round of a WTA 1000 event for the first time. After saving three break points to take the opening game, Potapova earned the first break of the match as she raced 3-0 in front, a scoreline reflective of her strong start. Gauff gave up yet another three break points as she found herself 4-1 down.

She continued to create chances but Potapova remarkably fended off yet another break point to move to within a game of taking the opening set at 5-2. Aryna Sabalenka hoping to close gap on world No. 1 Iga Swiatek Ons Jabeur crashes out to Varvara Gracheva at Miami Open Now playing with a spring in her step and finding more consistency with her forehand, Gauff finally got her reward with consecutive breaks to get her nose in front for the first time.