In a electrifying finale at the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal, Coco Gauff and her doubles partner McCartney Kessler emerged victorious, claiming the women’s doubles title in a nail-biting 6-4, 1-6, 13-11 battle against Taylor Townsend and China’s Zhang Shuai. The match, a showcase of resilience and teamwork, highlighted Gauff’s return to doubles glory after a challenging singles campaign, while Townsend’s performance underscored her meteoric rise as the world’s top-ranked doubles player. Following the intense clash, Gauff shared a heartfelt message, celebrating her opponents’ skill and her partner’s clutch performance, encapsulating the camaraderie and sportsmanship that defined the tournament.
The National Bank Open, a WTA 1000 event, saw Gauff, the world No. 2 in singles, team up with Kessler for their debut partnership. The duo’s chemistry was immediate, propelling them past seasoned doubles stars like Barbora Krejcikova and Jelena Ostapenko en route to the final. Facing Townsend and Zhang, the third-seeded pair, Gauff and Kessler encountered a formidable challenge. Townsend, fresh off her ascent to the WTA doubles No. 1 ranking after a title win at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, brought her signature flair and net prowess, while Zhang’s steady baseline play complemented her perfectly. The final was a rollercoaster, with Gauff and Kessler dominating the first set 6-4, only to be outplayed in a swift 1-6 second set. The deciding super-tiebreak pushed both teams to their limits, with Kessler’s composure proving pivotal. “I’d like to thank McCartney for teaming up with me this week and being so clutch,” Gauff said post-match, her voice brimming with gratitude. “Just two tiebreakers back to back, she saved the day. So, I appreciated that.”
Gauff’s words extended beyond her partner to her opponents, reflecting the deep respect she holds for Townsend and Zhang. “Congratulations to Taylor and Shuai, individually, both are amazing people and amazing players, and have been at the top of the game, and I love you guys,” she added, her sincerity resonating with the Montreal crowd. This gesture was particularly meaningful given Townsend’s inspiring journey. The 29-year-old American, a mother to four-year-old Adyn Aubrey, has defied odds to reach the pinnacle of doubles tennis. Her 2025 season has been nothing short of remarkable, with Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon 2024 and the Australian Open 2025 alongside Katerina Siniakova, and a WTA 1000 win in Dubai. Townsend’s rise to No. 1 made her the first mother to achieve that milestone in WTA doubles history, a feat Gauff has consistently celebrated, including calling her “TT1” with a crown emoji on social media after her DC Open triumph.
The doubles final offered Gauff redemption after a disappointing singles run at the Canadian Open. As the top seed, she faced early struggles, surviving a grueling first-round match against Danielle Collins with 23 double faults and a second-round battle against Veronika Kudermetova, where she committed 14 more. Her campaign ended in the round of 16 against 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko, who stunned Gauff 6-1, 6-4 in a historic upset. “I haven’t played the best this tournament, so I knew that it would be tough,” Gauff admitted after her singles loss, acknowledging Mboko’s fearless play. The doubles title, her tenth in the discipline and first with Kessler, softened the blow, marking her fourth WTA 1000 doubles crown and reinforcing her versatility.
For Townsend, the Canadian Open final was another chapter in her remarkable 2025. Despite the loss, her performance alongside Zhang showcased why she’s a doubles powerhouse. Her emotional speech at the DC Open, where she thanked her family and highlighted her journey as a Black woman from Chicago’s South Side, resonated widely, earning praise from Gauff’s mother, Candi, for inspiring young girls. Gauff, who won the Canadian Open doubles title in 2022 with Jessica Pegula, understands the significance of such moments. “I do see myself playing in the Slams the majority of the time in doubles,” Gauff once said, reflecting on her own doubles journey, which includes a 2024 French Open title with Siniakova.
The 2025 Canadian Open doubles final was more than a match; it was a celebration of resilience, friendship, and breaking barriers. Gauff’s heartfelt message to Townsend and Zhang, coupled with her praise for Kessler, encapsulated the spirit of a tournament that saw both triumph and heartbreak. As Gauff prepares for the hard-court swing leading to the US Open, and Townsend continues her reign as doubles No. 1, their paths promise more thrilling chapters in a sport where talent and heart collide.
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