PARIS, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Reigning champion Coco Gauff's French Open title defense ended in the third round on Saturday, while top seed Aryna Sabalenka and four-time major winner Naomi Osaka both secured victories to set up a highly anticipated round-of-16 clash.
The 22-year-old fourth seed Gauff was eliminated by 28th-seeded Anastasia Potapova 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4. Gauff conceded the crucial 10th game of the final set, with a double fault and an unforced error, and had to accept the reality of her earliest exit in Paris since her debut six years ago.
"She was able to finish the points and I wasn't," Gauff said, noting similarities between this defeat and her recent loss in Rome. "Just not capitalizing on certain shots."
World number one Aryna Sabalenka swiftly dispatched Australia's Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 7-5 in just 76 minutes. She will now face Japanese 16th seed Naomi Osaka, who battled past 18-year-old American Iva Jovic 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-4 in a nearly three-hour contest.
Sabalenka expressed anticipation for the upcoming clash between the two quadruple major winners. "I'm ready to go out there to fight for that match, for that win. Ready to do anything it takes," she said.
Saturday's men's action was heavily defined by grueling marathon matches. Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina outlasted Spain's Martin Landaluce 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (8) in an epic duel lasting five hours and 58 minutes.
Matteo Berrettini of Italy survived a five-hour and 13-minute battle against Argentina's Francisco Comesana, winning 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (13). Berrettini will face Juan Manuel Cerundolo next.
Frances Tiafoe of the United States rallied to defeat Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-2 in his second consecutive five-setter. He advances to play Italy's Matteo Arnaldi. ■
