In an intense match that had Potapova just one game from defeat, she rallied back and beat World No.6 Coco Gauff to make it to the fourth round of the Miami Open.
The match started in Gauffs favor as Potapova let her 5-2 lead slip away in the opening set. But she rallied back and won the match that lasted 2 hours and 32 minutes.
A SPECIAL VICTORY @nastiaapotapova picks up a third Top-10 career win, coming from a set down to defeat No.6 seed Gauff!#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/pqnGXcOmo9
— wta (@WTA) March 25, 2023
“I think I just let it go, and I started to focus on my tennis and going for my shots and not thinking what she is going to do,” Potapova said after the match.
“I’m really happy to be in the fourth round for the first time; it’s a dream that really came true.
“In those tough conditions, it’s not easy to play … Coco is an unbelievable athlete and she has very good fitness. I’m really surprised that I could stay at the same level until the end. Thanks to my fitness coach!”
The Russian will next go up against Chinas Qinwen Zheng in Round 16 tomorrow.
The loss was a disappointment for Guaff as she failed to find a consistent rhythm.
“I felt like I just didn’t play how I wanted to today. Really, where I got in the match was just because of my mentality, but not because of my game,” said the 19-year-old, who said that while she felt some nerves on her home court, she wasn’t over-awed.
“I don’t think that’s the reason why I lost today. I really think it was a combination of Anastasia playing well and me not stepping into the court when I needed to in certain moments,” she said.