Croatia's Donna Vekic downs Coco Gauff in Paris

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th July, 09:17 2024

Coco Gauff (USA) is out of the women’s tennis singles at the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

PARIS -- American Coco Gauff's hopes of singles gold at the Olympics evaporated in the third round in a 7-6(7), 6-2 to defeat at the hands of Croatia's Donna Vekic in furnace-like conditions at Roland Garros on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old United States' second seed held a 5-2 lead in the opening set but Vekic responded to turn the match on its head with stunning ground strokes and 33 winners.

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

"I never argue these calls. But he called it out before I hit the ball," Gauff said during the match.

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

--Reuters, Special to Field Level Media

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