French Open champion Coco Gauff suffered a surprising defeat at the Berlin Open, falling to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu with a score of 6-3, 6-3. Gauff, who recently claimed her second Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros, struggled with 25 unforced errors and seven double faults during the match. Despite having a bye to the second round of the grass-court tournament, Gauff was unable to secure a victory.

Wang Xinyu, ranked 49th, expressed her delight at winning the first set against the formidable Gauff, acknowledging the challenge posed by her opponent. Reflecting on her achievement, Wang emphasized the importance of savoring the moment and playing with confidence. She now looks forward to facing Paula Badosa in the quarter-finals after her impressive performance.

Meanwhile, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka overcame Rebeka Masarova in a match that was suspended due to a slippery court. Sabalenka, who had previously faced Gauff in the French Open final, issued an apology to Gauff for her post-match comments, describing them as “unprofessional.” Sabalenka is set to compete against Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the upcoming quarter-finals, showcasing a high level of competition at the tournament.