In the electric atmosphere of Montreal’s National Bank Open, Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and top seed, has battled her way to the fourth round, but her journey has been anything but smooth. The 21-year-old American, fresh off her 2025 French Open triumph, survived another grueling three-setter against Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova on Thursday, August 1, 2025, clinching a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory. Yet, despite her resilience, Gauff’s post-match reflections revealed a deep frustration with her performance, particularly her serve. “I’m very disappointed with myself,” she admitted, pinpointing the 14 double faults that plagued her match as a major letdown.
Gauff’s Canadian Open campaign has been a tale of tenacity overshadowed by technical struggles. In her opening match against compatriot Danielle Collins, she endured a nearly three-hour marathon, committing a staggering 23 double faults but emerging victorious 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2). Against Kudermetova, the serving woes persisted, with Gauff tossing her racket in frustration after a string of six consecutive missed serves early in the second set. “Obviously, I am so disappointed in myself when it comes to that part of the game,” she said, noting that she skipped the recent Citi Open in Washington to refine her serve with new grip adjustments under coach Matt Daly. “I was serving really well in practice, so I just would like for it to transfer to the match.”
Despite the setbacks, Gauff’s mental toughness has been her saving grace. Trailing by a set and a break against Kudermetova, she clawed back, saving break points at critical junctures and dominating the third set with only one double fault. Her ability to win while, as she put it, “having literally one part of my game on a crutch,” speaks to her elite athleticism and court coverage. “The positive is that I’m winning these matches,” she reflected, finding a silver lining in her ability to grind out victories despite subpar serving. Her 53 unforced errors against Kudermetova underscored the chaos of her game, yet her clutch play in the tiebreak and third set showcased the champion’s heart that won her the 2023 US Open and 2024 WTA Finals.
Gauff’s serving struggles are not new. She leads the WTA Tour in double faults this season, with 287 in 43 matches, including 42 at the Rome Masters and 38 at Indian Wells. Her second serve, winning just 43% of points, remains a glaring weakness, exacerbated by a recent grip tweak that has yet to gel in competition. “I know I’ll probably never be free of double faults, but if I could reduce it to 2% or 3%, that would make a big difference,” she said, expressing hope for incremental progress. Her training in Florida’s sweltering heat—three-hour sessions in 32-degree humidity—has kept her physically sharp, ensuring she’s not worn down by these marathon matches. “My energy level is there,” she assured, though she admitted, “I would love to get these matches under the two-hour mark.”
Next, Gauff faces Canada’s 18-year-old wildcard Victoria Mboko, who stunned Marie Bouzkova 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 to reach her first WTA 1000 fourth round. Mboko, ranked No. 85, previously fell to Gauff in Rome this year, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, but the home crowd’s support could make this rematch tricky. “She’s a great player,” Gauff said, anticipating a “tough match” on the faster hard courts. Mboko, unfazed, promised a “hard fight,” setting the stage for a compelling clash.
As Gauff navigates her serving storm, her Montreal run highlights both her vulnerabilities and her unbreakable spirit. “The goal of the game is to survive and advance,” she said, embodying the grit that keeps her moving forward. With the US Open looming, Gauff’s ability to channel her frustration into growth could determine whether she reclaims her best form—or continues to battle her own game.
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