American hopes dim at Wimbledon as Coco Gauff falls to inspired Dayana Yastremska in stunning upset

In one of the most dramatic twists of this year’s Wimbledon Open, French Open champion and world No. 2 Coco Gauff suffered a shocking first-round exit at the hands of Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska on Centre Court, and it's just another blow to US hopes at the English summer after Jessica Pegula's first-round exit against Elisabetta Cocciaretto. The 25-year-old Yastremska delivered the performance of her life, taking down the American 7-6(3), 6-1, and shattering hopes for a potential second Grand Slam title in 2025 for Gauff.

Dayana Yastremska rises to the occasion

Ranked No. 42 in the world, Dayana Yastremska approached the match as the underdog, but showcased grit, precision, and relentless energy throughout the contest. The first set saw a fierce battle, with Yastremska edging out Coco Gauff in a tightly contested tiebreak. From there, the Ukrainian upped her level significantly, dominating the second set and closing the match in commanding fashion.

Speaking after her landmark victory, Dayana Yastremska said:

"Playing against Coco it is something special. I played with her already three times, of course now four. It’s 3-1 for her. And a great person and we’re in very good relationship."

A historic collapse for top seeds

Coco Gauff’s early exit marks a significant disappointment for American tennis fans and adds to a growing list of upsets in this year’s tournament. She is now the fourth top-10 player to crash out in the opening round of Wimbledon 2025, joining Jessica Pegula, Qinwen Zheng, and Paula Badosa.

This year’s edition of Wimbledon has already etched itself into the record books, becoming the first since 1968 in which two of the top three seeds were eliminated in the first round. Pegula, seeded No. 3, endured a major upset at the hands of World No. 116 Elisabetta Cocciaretta, who defeated her 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets.

What's next for Coco Gauff?

While the loss will sting, Gauff is still just 20 years old and has already achieved more than many do in an entire career. Her remarkable French Open win earlier this season proved her potential as a generational talent. However, this defeat is a stark reminder of the depth and unpredictability of women’s tennis today.

As Coco Gauff regroups and looks toward the summer hard-court swing and the US Open, she will undoubtedly aim to bounce back stronger. Meanwhile, for Dayana Yastremska, this victory could be the spark she needs for a deep run at Wimbledon 2025.