Coco Gauff lost just five games in her opening two matches at the Paris Olympics but succumbed to the in-form Donna Vekic on Tuesday.
It had been a smooth ride so far for Coco Gauff with two straight sets wins seeing her progress past Ajla Tomljanovic and Maria Lourdes Carle.
The world number two would have had lofty ambitions in the singles despite it being her Olympic debut, but Wimbledon semi-finalist Donna Vekic had other days and beat the American in a controversial and boiling match.
Gauff’s powerful game has seen her dominate the clay this year, with major success coming at Roland Garros.
She lost out to Iga Swiatek in the semi-final of the singles, before she clinched her first major doubles title with Czech partner Katerina Siniaková, and her two doubles events are where she will now have to find the medals.
Gauff became the youngest American Olympic flag bearer at Friday’s opening ceremony, and has been experiencing all the novelties and quirks that her debut games has brought.
Coco Gauff explains the one ‘weird’ thing about the Olympics
The American agonizingly missed out on a debut in Tokyo three years ago after being diagnosed with Covid-19 just before the games kicked off.
Speaking to Team USA, she highlighted the differences between the Olympics and the French Open, with the two tournaments both held at Roland Garros.
She said: “It’s kind of weird seeing American flags in a crowd.
“I would say that [US tennis fans] are not usually that patriotic. [In the French Open], when I play against Poland or Romania, those countries usually always have their flags, whether it’s a team event or more of individuals.
“So it is weird seeing American flags in a crowd. I hope tennis fans can bring that [patriotism] into the regular tournaments.”
With Gauff one of several Team USA tennis players at the Paris Olympics, it’s no surprise the fans have come out in their droves to support the young sensation.
Coco Gauff will secure an Olympic medal for Team USA
The American had been flying so far in Paris, bringing her usual energy and power to the clay.
Much of the narrative will now further circle around Swiatek, with the Pole the huge favorite to secure gold, after her titanic haul of titles during the 2024 clay court season.
However, with three medals on the table and two high-ranking absentees in Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, Gauff was left with a much more favorable route to the final in the singles.
Despite the American still having plenty of tennis to play, with Gauff playing in the doubles events alongside Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz, she will be left ruing her chance to go all the way in the singles.
While Gauff’s individual journey came to an unsavoury end under the unforgiving Paris sun, it’s now in her hands to secure doubles success, with at least one medal definitely on the cards.
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