Gauff’s Momentum Halted on Grass
Gauff, currently ranked World No. 2, entered the Berlin Open riding high after capturing her second Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros less than two weeks ago. However, the transition from clay to grass proved challenging, as the American struggled to find rhythm and consistency in her opening match on the surface.
The 20-year-old received a bye into the second round of the tournament, only to fall 6-3, 6-3 to the 49th-ranked Wang. The defeat was marked by an uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors—25 in total—as well as seven double faults that undermined her efforts throughout the match.
Wang Delivers Breakthrough Performance
For Wang Xinyu, the victory marked one of the biggest wins of her career. Calm and composed throughout the encounter, the Chinese player applied consistent pressure, particularly on Gauff’s second serve, and capitalized on key opportunities.
“After I won the first set, I just told myself, ‘OK, let’s take a minute and enjoy this. I’m playing the French Open champion, and I won the first set,’” Wang said in her post-match interview. “No matter how the second and third go, I was like, ‘Let’s just enjoy it for a second.’ I’m really happy with how I played today. I was serving good and putting a lot of pressure on the return, especially second-serve return.”
Her poise on court and ability to remain aggressive against a top-tier opponent ultimately proved decisive in the upset.
A Learning Curve Ahead of Wimbledon
Gauff’s early exit in Berlin highlights the tricky transition many players face moving from clay to grass, especially with Wimbledon fast approaching. While her grass-court credentials have steadily improved, the loss serves as a timely reminder of the fine margins at the top level of the sport.
Despite the setback, Gauff will look to regroup quickly as she sets her sights on a deep run at the All England Club, where she first made headlines as a 15-year-old in 2019.