Last Australian knocked out of French Open as Gauff's title defence ends
Australia's last representative Daria Kasatkina was knocked out of the French Open in the third round, while reigning champion Coco Gauff also failed to defend her title, ABC reported. The result highlights an unexpected reshuffle in the women's draw and is being read alongside difficult heat conditions in Paris.
Australia's last representative at the French Open, Daria Kasatkina, was eliminated in the third round after losing 4-6, 6-3, 4-6 to Belarus's world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The match on Court Suzanne-Lenglen ran for hours, and the day's temperature in Paris reached about 33 degrees Celsius, taxing the players.
ABC News Australia reported that American Coco Gauff also failed to defend her French Open title in the third round. Gauff told reporters, 'I was physically ready, but my opponent was the more decisive player today.' Federation (FFT) executive Amélie Mauresmo said the round's surprise results had 'opened up the women's draw afresh.'
Kasatkina's exit means Australia is left without a flag-bearer at a Grand Slam tournament, and Tennis Australia announced plans to restructure its under-21 talent programme for next season. At Roland Garros, the quarter-finals' draw is taking shape around world number two Iga Świątek and fourth-seeded Madison Keys; the women's final is scheduled for Sunday next week.
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