In a thrilling display of tenacity, world No. 2 Coco Gauff battled her way into the third round of the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal, overcoming a fierce challenge from compatriot Danielle Collins in a nearly three-hour marathon on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The top-seeded American secured a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2) victory at IGA Stadium, marking her first win since clinching the French Open title in June. Despite the triumph, Gauff candidly admitted her performance was far from perfect, plagued by 23 double faults and 74 unforced errors. “It was a frustrating match for me just because I felt like I was practicing well, and then I don’t think I transferred it today,” she said post-match. “But hopefully I got my bad match of the tournament out of the way, and I can come back stronger in the next round.”
Gauff’s journey in Montreal is a pivotal chapter in her 2025 season, as she fine-tunes her game on the hard courts ahead of the US Open, starting August 24. The 21-year-old, who also claimed the 2023 US Open title, faced a rocky start against Collins, a powerful hitter known for her relentless aggression. The match saw Gauff struggle with her serve, a lingering issue that echoed her 19-double-fault performance in last year’s US Open fourth-round loss to Emma Navarro. Against Collins, she hit serves that veered long or landed softly, allowing her opponent to capitalize with punishing returns. Yet, Gauff’s resilience shone through. Trailing 2-1 in the third-set tiebreaker, she landed a mis-hit lob winner, sparking a run of six straight points to seal the match with an ace after two hours and 55 minutes. “For me to break her as many times as I did, there are some positives to take from today,” Gauff reflected, highlighting her ability to find silver linings.
The victory sets up a third-round clash with world No. 5 Veronika Kudermetova, who dispatched Serbian Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2. Gauff, seeking her 11th career WTA title, knows she must sharpen her game to advance further in a tournament that has seen her reach the quarterfinals three times in four appearances. “I felt that I was playing well except for that part of my game,” she said, referring to her erratic serve. Her determination to improve underscores her growth as a player who thrives under pressure, a trait evident in her 10-2 record in deciding tiebreakers. The Montreal crowd, energized by the all-American showdown, witnessed Gauff’s grit firsthand, a performance that recalled her complaints two years ago about late-night scheduling at this event. This year, the tournament’s extension to 12 days has alleviated such concerns, allowing players like Gauff more recovery time.
Gauff’s path to Montreal has been a whirlwind. After her French Open triumph over Aryna Sabalenka, she faced setbacks, including a first-round exit at Wimbledon to Dayana Yastremska and a month-long break to reset for the hard-court swing. Her preparation included a tweaked serving grip, an adjustment that misfired against Collins but showed promise in clutch moments, like the match-ending ace. Off the court, Gauff remains a vocal advocate for player welfare, a stance reinforced by compatriot Leylah Fernandez’s recent criticism of the tournament’s scheduling after her first-round loss. Fernandez, fresh off a Washington title, fell 6-4, 6-1 to Maya Joint, lamenting unfulfilled promises of a night-session slot. Gauff, who headlined Tuesday’s night session, avoided such scheduling woes but faces her own challenges in harnessing her practice form.
As the top seed in a depleted field—following withdrawals from stars like Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Carlos Alcaraz—Gauff carries the weight of expectations. Her matchup with Collins, a friend and former United Cup teammate, was a test of mental fortitude. Collins, ranked No. 61 after a stellar 2024, promised “feistiness” and delivered, serving for the match at 6-5 in the third set before Gauff’s backhand crosscourt winner forced the tiebreaker. “Coco’s a good friend of mine and someone that I have had my best memories being on teams with,” Collins said before the match. “We’re going to go out and just battle.” The battle lived up to its billing, with Gauff emerging as the victor but vowing to refine her game.
With the US Open looming, Gauff’s Canadian Open campaign is a crucial stepping stone. Her ability to overcome a subpar performance against Collins signals her championship pedigree, but her promise to “come back stronger” reflects a player hungry for consistency. As she prepares for Kudermetova, Gauff’s focus is clear: iron out the kinks, trust her groundstrokes, and let her competitive spirit guide her toward another deep run in Montreal.
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