In a stunning turn of events at the Canadian Open in Montreal, Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and two-time Grand Slam champion, found herself in what tennis analysts have described as a “very surprising” position. The 21-year-old American, typically a beacon of resilience and athletic prowess, appeared visibly “confused” on the court, culminating in a shocking defeat to 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko in the round of 16. The 6-1, 6-4 loss in just 62 minutes has sparked widespread discussion about Gauff’s form as the US Open looms on the horizon.
Gauff’s performance in Montreal was a far cry from the dominance she displayed during her French Open triumph earlier this year, where she showcased her trademark stamina and mental fortitude to defeat Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final. However, her recent outings suggest a troubling dip in form. Against Mboko, Gauff struggled to find her rhythm, particularly with her serve, which has long been both a weapon and a vulnerability. The American committed a staggering number of unforced errors and failed to break her opponent’s serve, a rare occurrence in her 2025 season. Tennis journalist Catherine Whitaker, commenting on Gauff’s performance, pinpointed the core issue: “This is the only match all year where Coco Gauff hasn’t broken serve.” Whitaker’s observation underscores the severity of Gauff’s serving woes, which have plagued her throughout the tournament.
The match against Mboko was not an isolated struggle. In earlier rounds, Gauff battled through grueling three-set matches against compatriot Danielle Collins and Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova, racking up an alarming 23 and 14 double faults, respectively. Despite these victories, her performances were marred by inconsistency, with a total of 74 unforced errors against Collins alone. Gauff herself acknowledged the frustration, stating, “I haven’t played the best this tournament, so I knew that it would be tough. I just felt like I could do better today, but I also knew that if I took my foot off the gas a little bit, that she would take advantage of those moments, and she did.” Her words reflect a player grappling with technical flaws while striving to maintain the mental toughness that has defined her career.
Mboko, a rising star ranked No. 85, seized the opportunity to showcase her potential on home soil. The Canadian, who was outside the top 300 just a year ago, attacked Gauff’s forehand relentlessly, capitalizing on the American’s weaker groundstroke. Mboko’s fearless play and composure under pressure earned her a spot in the quarterfinals, marking the biggest win of her young career. “Coming into this match, I was so locked in,” Mboko said post-match. “I tried to keep my composure as much as I could playing in front of so many people. A very special experience for me.” Her victory over Gauff, coupled with earlier wins against Sofia Kenin and Marie Bouzkova, signals a bright future for the 18-year-old.
Gauff’s early exit in Montreal has raised concerns about her preparation for the US Open, where she is expected to be a top contender. Tennis journalist Matt Roberts offered a balanced perspective on her current form: “I think what we’ve learned about Coco Gauff in the last year or so is that she’s probably never as high as you think she is, because the technical flaws are always lurking, and they can come in seemingly out of nowhere. But then, she’s never as low as you think she is either, because she’s so resilient, she’s so incredibly mentally strong and talented generally, that she can flip that form on its head and suddenly she can go and win a Grand Slam title.” This duality—Gauff’s ability to oscillate between vulnerability and brilliance—makes her a fascinating figure in the sport.
Looking ahead, Gauff has a chance to regroup at the Cincinnati Open, where she claimed her first WTA 1000 title in 2023 by defeating Jasmine Paolini, Iga Swiatek, and Karolina Muchova. That victory marked a high point in her career, and she will be eager to recapture that form on the hard courts of Ohio. “Maybe it was better to get more matches under my belt,” Gauff reflected. “It’s the first tournament on the hard court season, so I’m hoping that in Cincy and in New York I can find that rhythm.” Her optimism, coupled with her history of bouncing back from setbacks, suggests that this dip in form may be temporary.
As Gauff prepares for the next challenge, the tennis world watches closely. Her ability to overcome technical struggles, particularly with her serve, will be critical to her success at the US Open. For now, her Montreal performance serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis, where even the brightest stars can face unexpected hurdles. Yet, with her proven resilience and undeniable talent, Gauff remains a formidable force, poised to rise again on the grand stage.
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