Heartbreaking Gauff is eliminated from the Olympics following an altercation on the court, while Rafael Nadal makes a comeback.
Roland Garros authorities implemented a heat protocol, allowing a 10-minute break between the second and third sets, due to the extreme heat that was reaching temperatures in the mid-30s.
Vekic upset Gauff 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 in the opening match on Court Philippe-Chatrier to advance to the quarterfinals, but the match was marred by a protracted argument between the US Open champion and the chair umpire.
Donna Vekic of Croatia celebrates defeating Coco Gauff in the third round of the tennis competition at the Olympics.
Donna Vekic of Croatia celebrates defeating Coco Gauff in the third round of the tennis competition at the Olympics.
Alongside NBA player LeBron James, Gauff carried the American flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympics. She got out to a quick start but lost three set points before her Croatian opponent prevailed in the first-set tie-break.
Early in the second set, the two traded breaks, but at the end of the sixth game, an emotional Gauff begged the umpire to call her game.
Vekic hit a deep return to Gauff’s forehand at 30-40, and the American mishit it into the net.
Vekic’s shot was signalled, but the chair umpire overturned the call, awarding the Croat the point and the break. Gauff claimed the first call jeopardised her opportunity.
“I have to always speak up for myself,” a sobbing Gauff, 20, said in court. “This game is cheating on me. You people don’t treat me fairly.”
Subsequently, a composed Gauff demanded that Roland Garros implement a video review system comparable to those seen at other Grand Slam locations.
“Maybe repeating that point can make a major difference in that game, but I can’t say I would have won the match if I would have won that point,” she remarked. “Being not a break, though, is for sure.”
At the Paris Olympics, Carlos Alcaraz (right) and Rafael Nadal are representing Spain in the men’s doubles category.
At the Paris Olympics, Carlos Alcaraz (right) and Rafael Nadal are representing Spain in the men’s doubles category. Copyright Martin Berneti/AFP
The 21-year-old Vekic momentarily lost her cool, going from 0-40 on her own serve to holding before breaking one more to complete the victory.
The Wimbledon semifinalist described the argument on the line call as a “tough circumstance.”
“It was not so easy after that, the crowd,” she remarked. “I’m glad I was able to recover in that game because it was crucial, even though I lost focus for a few points.”
Alexander Zverev, the reigning men’s champion from Germany, easily defeated Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic, ranked 39th, 6-3, 7-5, to go to the third round.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber of Germany advanced to the quarterfinals in the women’s draw, along with eighth-seeded Danielle Collins of the United States and Zheng Qinwen of China.
The top-ranked woman in the world, Iga Swiatek, will try to defeat China’s Wang Xiyu in the evening session to win 24 straight games on Paris’ clay courts.
In their 60th meeting, Rafael “Nadalacaraz” Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, was easily defeated in straight sets by long-time adversary Novak Djokovic on Monday.
The 38-year-old, who was immortalised in a statue at Roland Garros, is currently ranked 161st in the world after suffering numerous injuries in recent years.
Following his heartbreaking loss against Djokovic, Rafael Nadal declared he will decide his future after the Olympics.
The 2008 Beijing Games gold medallist in singles and the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist in doubles, however, is still able to win a medal in the doubles with current French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.
They play Wesley Koolhof and Tallon Griekspoor, a Dutch duo.
Later, Andy Murray, the three-time Grand Slam champion from Britain, will compete in his final tournament with doubles partner Dan Evans.
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