In a stunning upset at the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal, world No. 2 Coco Gauff faced an unexpected exit in the round of 16, falling to the rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. The match, which lasted just 62 minutes, marked a significant moment for Mboko, who became the first Canadian to defeat a top seed at the Montreal event and the youngest home player to reach the last 16 since 1988. For Gauff, the defeat was a sobering end to her campaign at the National Bank Open, where she had been a three-time quarterfinalist and was considered the top favorite following Aryna Sabalenka’s withdrawal due to injury.
Gauff, fresh off her French hạOpen triumph earlier in 2025, entered the tournament with high expectations but struggled to find her rhythm throughout her Montreal matches. Her journey to the round of 16 was far from smooth, marked by grueling three-set battles against Danielle Collins and Veronika Kudermetova. These matches exposed ongoing issues with her serve, as she racked up a staggering 43 double faults across her three matches, including six in her loss to Mboko. Despite her resilience in earlier rounds, Gauff’s performance against the 18-year-old Canadian wildcard was uncharacteristically lackluster, leaving fans and analysts searching for answers.
Reflecting on the match, Gauff was candid about her struggles, acknowledging Mboko’s exceptional play. “She played a great match, that’s basically it,” Gauff said in her post-match press conference. “She was playing very well, I made a couple of unforced errors, but I knew today would be a tough match. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well for me.” Gauff noted that Mboko came into the match with confidence, having secured convincing victories in her earlier rounds. “I knew she would come in with a lot of confidence, and she won her first two rounds easily,” she added. “Honestly, I haven’t played my best tennis in this tournament, so I knew it would be tough.”
Mboko, ranked No. 85 and climbing, showcased a fearless brand of tennis that overwhelmed Gauff from the outset. The Canadian seized an early break in the first set, capitalizing on Gauff’s errors to build a 4-1 lead. Mboko’s aggressive play, marked by powerful groundstrokes and confident net approaches, left Gauff struggling to respond. The first set was a one-sided affair, with Mboko securing two additional breaks to close it out 6-1. In the second set, Gauff showed flashes of her trademark fight, creating break point opportunities, but Mboko’s composure and strong serving held firm, sealing the victory and a historic quarterfinal berth.
Gauff’s serving woes, a recurring challenge in her career, were a significant factor in her defeat. Her 43 double faults in Montreal added to an unwanted record, as she leads the WTA in double faults for 2025. Despite her mental toughness and ability to win matches under pressure, as evidenced by her earlier victories, the serve remains a critical area for improvement. “I don’t want to lead that stat, and I want to do better,” Gauff admitted, expressing frustration but also optimism. “The fact that I’m winning matches and finding ways to win with that is definitely a positive. It’s just a matter of time.”
The defeat comes at a pivotal moment for Gauff, who is gearing up for the US Open, where she hopes to build on her 2023 title. Her Montreal performance, while disappointing, underscores her resilience and ability to compete even when not at her best. For Mboko, the victory is a career-defining moment, propelling her into the top 70 and signaling her arrival as a force on the WTA Tour. As Gauff resets for the hard-court swing, her focus will likely turn to refining her serve and regaining the form that made her a Grand Slam champion.
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