Tennis-Gauff's singles hopes melt away in defeat by Vekic

[July 30, 2024]  By Martyn Herman
 
PARIS (Reuters) - American Coco Gauff's hopes of singles gold at the Olympics evaporated in the third round as she fell to a 7-6(7) 6-2 to Croatia's Donna Vekic in furnace-like conditions at Roland Garros on Tuesday.
 
The 20-year-old United States' second seed marched into a 5-2 lead in the opening set but Vekic responded in inspired fashion to turn the match on its head with some stunning ground strokes. 

Paris 2024 Olympics - Tennis - Women's Singles Third Round - Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France - July 30, 2024. Donna Vekic of Croatia in action during her match against Coco Gauff of United States. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Gauff was left in tears as she went 4-2 down in the second set following a disputed line call after which she argued with the umpire and referee for several minutes before continuing.

The Philippe Chatrier crowd got behind the American but the ice-cool Vekic, seeded 13th, sealed the win as Gauff's game disintegrated. Olympic debutant Gauff will now focus on mixed doubles and women's doubles.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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