In a shocking turn of events, Coco Gauff, the newly crowned French Open champion, faced a humbling defeat in her first match since her triumphant run in Paris. The world No. 2, riding high after clinching her second Grand Slam title on June 7, 2025, was outplayed by Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu in a swift 6-3, 6-3 upset at the Berlin Open on Thursday. The grass-court tournament, a key Wimbledon warm-up, exposed the challenges of transitioning from clay to grass, as Gauff struggled to find her rhythm against a determined opponent ranked No. 49 in the world.
Gauff, who earned a bye into the second round, entered the match as a heavy favorite following her thrilling 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open final. That win, marked by her resilience against windy conditions and Sabalenka’s powerful game, made her the first American woman to claim Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. However, the quick turnaround from clay to grass proved daunting. “It was a tough one today but happy to be back on court,” Gauff shared on social media, reflecting on the loss. “Tried my best to adjust with the quick turnaround but it wasn’t enough. As always, I’m learning as I go so I hope to do better next time.”
The match, which lasted just 75 minutes, saw Gauff falter with 25 unforced errors and seven double faults, a stark contrast to the poise she displayed in Paris. Her first-serve percentage languished at 38%, and she managed only one ace while winning just 41% of her second-serve points. Wang, by contrast, played a disciplined game, tallying 16 winners against 12 unforced errors. “After I won the first set, I just told myself, ‘OK, let’s take a minute and enjoy this, I’m playing the French Open champion, and I won the first set,’” Wang said in her on-court interview, her smile reflecting the magnitude of her achievement. “I was really happy with how I played today. I was serving good, and putting a lot of pressure on return, especially second serve return.”
The match began competitively, with Gauff holding off two break points in the opening game to lead 3-2. But Wang seized control, rattling off four consecutive games to claim the first set. In the second, Gauff showed flashes of her trademark fight, breaking Wang to take a 3-1 lead. Yet, her momentum fizzled as Wang countered with a five-game streak, capitalizing on Gauff’s errors to secure her third career top-10 win. Wang, who also defeated Daria Kasatkina and 2022 Berlin champion Ons Jabeur en route to the quarterfinals, now faces Paula Badosa for a semifinal spot.
The defeat snaps Gauff’s seven-match win streak from Paris, where her mental fortitude and adaptability shone against Sabalenka. “I don’t think either of us were playing great,” Gauff had said after the French Open final, noting the windy conditions. “But I knew as soon as I stepped on to the court… it would be one of those matches. So I was just trying to give myself the best chance and fight every point.” In Berlin, however, the grass surface and Wang’s precision exposed vulnerabilities, particularly in Gauff’s serve, which had been a strength on clay.
This upset marks a rare setback for the 21-year-old, whose 2025 season has been a breakout. With a 31-9 record, including finals in Madrid and Rome, Gauff has solidified her status as a tennis prodigy. Her French Open triumph, where she overcame a set deficit against Sabalenka, showcased her ability to thrive under pressure. Yet, the Berlin loss highlights the challenges of grass, where Gauff has yet to advance past the fourth round at Wimbledon. “I’m excited to get some more practices in to be ready for Wimbledon,” she added on social media, signaling her focus on the All England Club, where play begins June 30.
Meanwhile, top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who apologized for “unprofessional” comments after her French Open loss to Gauff, advanced in Berlin with a 6-2, 7-6(6) win over Rebeka Masarova, overcoming a slippery court and a second-set deficit. Sabalenka’s next challenge is 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, setting up a blockbuster quarterfinal. For Gauff, the Berlin stumble is a learning opportunity as she prepares for Wimbledon, where her speed and tenacity could yet propel her to new heights on the grass.
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