Roland Garros 2026 Women’s Day 9

Anastasia Potapova, who knocked out defending champion Coco Gauff,  rode a roller coaster of momentum shifts but was unable to advance further, falling 6-4, 2-6,, 7-6 (10-7) to Anna Kalinskaya on Monday to exit the French Open.

The Russian who only took up Austrian citizenship in late 2025, was eliminated by her good friend after a struggle of nearly three hours, with no clear outcome visible until the closing seconds of the fourth-round encounter.

“I’m here only being very positive,” Potapova said. “Of course I feel sad that I lost today, but at the same time, I left everything there. I did everything I could. 

“I’m leaving the French Open with my head held high.”

Potapova twice served for victory in the third set without success as she duelled with Kalinskaya.

The player who had won just a single match at Roland Garros in four previous editions, has found her form on the clay at this edition.

 “I probably changed mentally,” No. 24 Kalinskaya said. “I tried to enjoy it more and not put on pressure to play good on the clay.”

The pair both played in patches, with Potapova weighed down by eight double-faults among nearly 50 unforced errors while Kalinskaya produced 58 during her victory.

Potapova earned a 4-1 lead in the third set only to get overhauled for 4-all. The ensuing four games were breaks of serve, leading to the deciding 10-point tiebreaker.

The Austrian again failed to defend a 4-1 margin, with Kalinskaya clawing back to eventually earn three match points. She profitted on the second, a Potapova return long over the baseline.

“I’m shocked,” the winner said. I can’t believe the match is over and I’m standing here. What a match, unbelievable fight from both of us to the last second.

“I’ve played her many times but this one was special. She;s improved a lot, today was super challenging and I’m just glad that I won.”

The winner said she relaxed at the tight moments when her opponent served for the match

“I didn’t have nerves anymore, I was just hoping to stay focused. if things  did not work out, then…whatever.”

Potapova had her own analysis of what went wrong for her.

“I was fully in control of the first set. Then she played two very good games where she just probably relaxed and started to swing forehands and backhands, and the ball was going so hard.

“From that point I got tense. My game started to fall apart.”

Kalinskaya will next play qualifier Maja Chwalinska, who shocked the last Frenchwoman in the field, Diane Parry, 6-3, 6-2.

The No. 114 Pole is competing in the third Grand Slam main draw of her career. She defeated an dis-heartened opponent who seemed to know early in the second set that she had few chances.

The winner remains in unknown territory as she reaches the last eight. She called her victory “pure joy.”

“I didn’t expect this for sure. I’m very, very, very grateful to be here,

“My game is to mix it up, it’s natural for me to pay a lot of dropshots and high balls off the forehand.”

The shy winner said her match with Kalinskaya will be huge for her.

“She’s a top player and no one knows me, to be honest, It will be a challenging one and I will need to play my best tennis to win.”

In the top half of the draw, 2018 semi-finalist Madison Keys lost a battle with Diana Scnaider 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.