The 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal has been a rollercoaster for Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, whose doubles campaign alongside compatriot McCartney Kessler took a dramatic turn during their semifinal clash. The American duo, fresh off a thrilling victory over Olga Danilovic and Hsieh Su-wei, found themselves at the center of a heart-stopping incident that nearly cost Kessler her place in the tournament. As Gauff navigates a challenging season marked by serving struggles and a recent singles loss, her resilience in doubles, paired with Kessler’s grit, has kept her in the spotlight as she prepares for the Cincinnati Open and the US Open.
The incident unfolded in the second set of their semifinal match, with Gauff and Kessler leading 3-1 after dropping the first set 7-5. During a high-stakes rally in the fifth game, Kessler, in a desperate attempt to keep the ball in play, sent a return sailing wide. The shot struck the chair umpire’s head, leaving the official shaken and prompting an immediate pause in play. Both Gauff and Kessler rushed to check on the umpire’s well-being, their concern evident. “While it was an accidental hit from Kessler, she wasn’t really to be blamed, as she tried to return the ball during an intriguing rally,” noted a courtside observer, capturing the chaotic moment. Despite the potential for disqualification—hitting an official, even unintentionally, can lead to severe penalties—the umpire showed remarkable composure, allowing play to continue without issuing a sanction.
The duo’s relief was palpable as they regrouped and powered through, clinching the second set 6-4 and dominating the match tiebreaker 10-6 to secure their spot in the final. The victory marked a moment of redemption for Gauff, who had endured a crushing singles defeat to 18-year-old Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko in the third round, falling 6-4, 6-2 in just over an hour. Tennis journalist Catherine Whitaker didn’t hold back in her analysis, stating, “This is the only match all year where Coco Gauff hasn’t broken serve. And frankly, right now, if she’s not breaking serve, she doesn’t stand a chance of winning a tennis match because of the state her own serve is in, which is, David, a very, very bad one.” BBC commentator David Law added context, noting Gauff’s resilience in past matches, saying, “I can’t think of too many matches that I’ve ever seen where somebody’s hit 23 double faults [against Danielle Collins] in a three-set match and won it. And it’s a great credit to her that she finds ways.”
Gauff’s serving woes, a recurring theme in 2025, have been a focal point of discussion. Her loss to Mboko, who outclassed her with relentless aggression, left Gauff visibly dejected, a stark contrast to her doubles success. The 21-year-old’s season has been a mixed bag: a semifinal run at the Australian Open, a title in Beijing, and a strong showing in Dubai, but also early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, where injuries and inconsistent play hampered her. Her doubles partnership with Kessler, however, has provided a lifeline, showcasing her ability to channel frustration into focus. “I think it just fueled me,” Gauff said after a heated umpire dispute in Dubai earlier this year, a mindset that carried her and Kessler through the Montreal drama.
The near-disqualification incident echoes Gauff’s history of tense encounters with officials. At the 2024 French Open, she tearfully argued with chair umpire Aurélie Tourte over a line call, saying, “I feel like I’m getting cheated on constantly in this game.” Similar disputes at the Paris Olympics and the 2023 US Open, where she confronted umpire Marijana Veljovic over Laura Siegemund’s slow play, highlight her willingness to advocate for herself. “I never argue these calls. But he called it out before I hit the ball,” Gauff said during her Olympic loss to Donna Vekic, a sentiment that resonates with her Montreal experience, where Kessler’s accidental shot could have derailed their campaign.
As Gauff and Kessler prepare for the Canadian Open doubles final, the incident has only strengthened their resolve. Gauff, still in the hunt for a women’s doubles medal at the US Open with Jessica Pegula and a mixed doubles run with Taylor Fritz, remains a crowd favorite. Her ability to overcome adversity, from serving struggles to high-pressure moments, underscores her status as a rising star. With the Cincinnati Open looming and the US Open on the horizon, Gauff’s Montreal journey—marked by drama, resilience, and a near-disqualification—sets the stage for a compelling push to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite.
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