Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation, has once again proven her versatility and resilience, clinching the women’s doubles title at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal alongside compatriot McCartney Kessler. The victory, a thrilling 6-4, 1-6, 13-11 win over No. 3 seeds Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai, marked Gauff’s tenth WTA Tour-level doubles title and her second at the Canadian Open, following her 2022 triumph with Jessica Pegula. After a disappointing singles exit in the round-of-16, Gauff’s return to doubles was nothing short of spectacular, capped by a lighthearted quip that captured her infectious personality: “Lol temporarily came out of doubles retirement and got a dub!” she posted on her Instagram Story, delighting fans with her humor and humility.
Gauff’s journey in Montreal was a tale of redemption. Fresh off her French Open singles title in June, the world No. 2 arrived as the top seed in singles but stumbled against 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko in a 6-1, 6-4 upset. The loss, marred by 14 double faults, highlighted ongoing struggles with her serve, a recurring issue that saw her rack up a staggering 23 double faults in an earlier win over Danielle Collins. “Obviously, I’m very disappointed with myself regarding that part of the game,” Gauff admitted after the Mboko defeat, noting her efforts to refine her serve in training. Yet, rather than leave Canada empty-handed, Gauff pivoted to doubles, partnering with Kessler for their first tournament together. The decision paid off, as the duo navigated a gauntlet of formidable opponents, including Kichenok/Perez, Krejcikova/Ostapenko, and Hsieh/Danilovic, winning four consecutive match tiebreaks to claim the crown.
The final against Townsend and Zhang was a rollercoaster. Gauff and Kessler seized the first set 6-4 with aggressive baseline play, but the veteran pair roared back, dominating the second set 6-1 with precise net play and a break of Gauff’s serve. The championship-deciding tiebreak was a nerve-shredding affair, with the Americans squandering two championship points at 9-7 before Kessler sealed the victory with a blistering down-the-line winner on their fifth attempt. “Fun two weeks here in Montreal, glad I got to leave here with another one for the cabinet,” Gauff wrote on Instagram, praising Kessler’s clutch performance: “Thank you McCartney for playing with me and for being so clutch haha & thank you guys for the support #CoKart.” The hashtag, a playful nod to their “Coco and McCartney” partnership, underscored the chemistry that propelled them to victory.
This triumph marked Gauff’s third doubles tournament of 2025, following outings with Robin Montgomery in Madrid and Alexandra Eala in Rome. Her decision to step back from doubles after the Paris Olympics, where she and Pegula suffered a surprise round-of-16 loss, was driven by a focus on singles. “Coco and I played so much for a couple years there. We did great,” Pegula said earlier this year, explaining their shift to prioritize individual campaigns. Yet, Gauff’s “temporary” return to doubles in Montreal showcased her adaptability and love for the format’s camaraderie. “You know it’s weird, I feel more pressure serving in doubles than in singles because I don’t want to let my partner down,” she said after their semifinal win, highlighting a mental shift she hopes to carry into her singles game.
Gauff’s doubles success comes at a pivotal moment. After a first-round Wimbledon exit and serving woes in Montreal, she’s now in Cincinnati, where she won her first WTA 1000 title in 2023. “It gave me the belief that I could win a Slam,” she said of that breakthrough, which paved the way for her US Open title a month later. As she prepares for the US Open, where she’s a former champion, Gauff is focused on stabilizing her serve. “I just would like to serve how I do in doubles in singles,” she mused, noting the smoother, more decisive motion she employs in doubles. With a first-round bye in Cincinnati and a potential third-round clash with Dayana Yastremska, Gauff’s Montreal triumph has rekindled her confidence. Her mother, Candi, and skiing legend Lindsey Vonn were among those celebrating her doubles title, a testament to her growing influence. As Gauff eyes another deep run in New York, her Montreal “dub” proves she’s a champion who thrives under pressure, with a knack for turning setbacks into triumphs.
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