In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats for nearly three hours, Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion and World No. 2, battled past fellow American Danielle Collins in a dramatic second-round clash at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal. The top-seeded Gauff emerged victorious with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2) scoreline, but the path to victory was anything but smooth, marked by wild momentum swings, a staggering 23 double faults from Gauff, and a total of 154 unforced errors between the two players. The match, a chaotic display of grit and resilience, showcased both the brilliance and the vulnerabilities of these two American tennis stars.
The evening began with a playful moment from Gauff, who, before stepping onto the court, took a cheeky jab at her partner during a press conference. When asked about her preparation, she quipped, “I’m in a relationship, so I’ve been spending some time off the court, but I’m back to business now!” The lighthearted remark set a confident tone, but the match itself would test Gauff’s focus and endurance like few others this season.
From the outset, the contest was a rollercoaster. Gauff surged to a 5-2 lead in the first set, only for Collins, ranked No. 61 but a former top-10 player and Australian Open finalist, to claw her way back to 5-5. Gauff, however, held her nerve, breaking Collins at love to claim the set 7-5, capitalizing on one of Collins’ 13 double faults. The second set saw more turbulence, with Gauff taking an early 3-1 lead before Collins roared back, leveling the match at 6-4 after winning five of the final six games. The third set was a nail-biter, with Gauff twice holding break advantages at 2-0 and 4-2, only for Collins to storm back, even serving for the match at 6-5. Gauff, facing the brink of defeat just two points away, unleashed a backhand crosscourt winner to force a tiebreak, where she dominated, winning 7-2, sealed by a rare ace—a symbolic end to a match where her serve had been her greatest foe.
“It was a frustrating match for me,” Gauff admitted post-match, reflecting on her 23 double faults, the highest in a WTA match since 2019. “I felt like I was practicing well, but I didn’t think that transferred today. Making serves into the court was the toughest challenge. Maybe if I had cut that in half, it could have been a quicker match.” Despite the struggles, Gauff found positives, noting, “Danielle is a great ball striker, and for me to break her as many times as I did, there’s definitely some positives to take from today.” Both players broke serve nine times, with Collins contributing 80 unforced errors, underscoring the match’s erratic yet fiercely competitive nature.
Gauff’s respect for Collins shone through despite the intensity of their first-ever head-to-head. “This is my first time playing Danielle. She’s obviously a tough competitor, a great tennis player, a great person,” Gauff said. “I got to know her really well at the United Cup, and she’s always nice to me. It was a tough battle out there.” The two Americans, who teamed up earlier this season to help the USA win the United Cup, share a camaraderie that extends beyond the court. Gauff’s comments echoed sentiments from earlier in the year when she described Collins as someone who “knows who she is” and brings “fantastic energy” to the team.
For Collins, the match was a testament to her relentless spirit. Known for her fiery on-court demeanor, she pushed Gauff to the limit, nearly pulling off an upset despite her own serving woes. Her passionate celebrations and vocal intensity were on full display, though she faced criticism for slamming her racket after a missed opportunity. Collins, who had announced her retirement plans for the end of 2024 but continues to compete fiercely, promised a high-energy battle before the match, saying, “We’re going to bring the feistiness, right? We’re going to go out and just battle.” And battle she did, leaving everything on the court.
Gauff’s victory marked her first win since her Roland Garros triumph in June, a much-needed boost after early exits in Berlin and Wimbledon. As the top seed in Montreal, with Aryna Sabalenka absent, Gauff now looks to build momentum ahead of the US Open, starting August 24. Her next challenge is Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova, a former top-10 player who advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Olga Danilovic. “Hopefully, I got my bad match of the tournament out of the way, and I can come back stronger in the next round,” Gauff said, expressing optimism despite the error-strewn performance.
This Montreal thriller was a microcosm of Gauff’s 2025 season—a blend of resilience, talent, and areas for growth. With her serve under scrutiny, particularly after tweaks by her coach Matt Daly, Gauff’s ability to win ugly speaks to her mental fortitude. For Collins, the match was another chapter in her storied career, one defined by passion and unpredictability. As Gauff moves forward, the tennis world watches eagerly, wondering if this gritty win will spark a return to her Grand Slam-winning form.
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