In a dramatic twist at the National Bank Open in Montreal, world No. 2 Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, suffered a shocking defeat to 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko, ranked No. 85, in a swift 6-1, 6-4 rout that lasted just 82 minutes. Despite showing signs of improvement in her serve, which has plagued her throughout the tournament, Gauff’s campaign was cut short by the fearless Mboko, who seized her moment in front of a roaring home crowd. This upset marked Gauff’s third loss in five matches since her Roland Garros triumph, underscoring the challenges she faces as she prepares for the upcoming US Open.
Gauff, the 21-year-old American phenom, entered Montreal as the top seed following Aryna Sabalenka’s withdrawal. Her tournament began with a grueling second-round battle against compatriot Danielle Collins, where she committed a staggering 23 double faults but still managed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2) victory. “I was practicing well, and I don’t think I transferred it today,” Gauff said after that match, reflecting on her serving struggles. She followed with another three-set win over Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova, reducing her double faults to 14 but still battling inconsistency. “There’s positives and there’s negatives,” she noted, acknowledging her resilience despite her serve being “on a crutch.” Against Mboko, Gauff further cut her double faults to five, a marked improvement, but it wasn’t enough to counter the Canadian’s aggressive play and poise.
Mboko, a rising star who began the year outside the top 300, delivered the biggest win of her career. Her power and composure belied her age, as she dominated the first set 6-1 in just 25 minutes, capitalizing on Gauff’s 24 unforced errors. The second set was tighter, with Gauff fighting to level the score at 4-4, but Mboko’s relentless pressure and a crucial break sealed the match. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the Montreal crowd in French, as “Olé, Olé, Olé!” chants echoed through IGA Stadium. “I’m really happy to win today. It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Her victory made her the youngest Canadian to reach the last 16 of the National Bank Open since 1988, marking her as a formidable talent on the WTA stage.
Gauff’s serving woes have been a persistent narrative. In Montreal, she amassed 37 double faults across her three matches, adding to her season total of over 250, the highest on the WTA Tour in 2025. Former world No. 1 doubles player Rennae Stubbs praised Gauff’s mental toughness, stating, “No matter what is happening, Coco never gives up. Never! It wins her so many matches.” However, Stubbs also pointed out technical flaws, noting, “She 100% needs a kick second serve but she’s unable to do that with her grip and her ball toss.” Gauff herself admitted frustration, saying, “I’m sure everyone can read my body language, so I don’t think I’m gonna be that nice to myself. Mentally I’m very proud of myself.” She emphasized the silver lining: “The fact I’m winning these matches not feeling my best is something to be proud of.”
The loss to Mboko highlighted the broader challenges Gauff faces as she transitions from her clay-court dominance to the hard-court swing leading to the US Open, starting August 24. Her grass-court season was lackluster, with first-round exits in Berlin and Wimbledon, where she struggled with nine double faults against Dayana Yastremska. “I couldn’t find my footing out there,” she admitted after Wimbledon. In Montreal, her resilience shone through in earlier rounds, but Mboko’s precision exposed vulnerabilities that Gauff must address to defend her 2023 US Open title.
Mboko now advances to the quarterfinals, facing either China’s Zhu Lin or Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Meanwhile, Gauff, who also competed in doubles with McCartney Kessler, must regroup quickly. Her ability to win “C-level tennis,” as one analyst put it, showcases her unmatched court coverage and mental fortitude, but her serve remains a critical hurdle. With the US Open looming, Gauff’s Montreal campaign, though cut short, underscores her potential and the work ahead to reclaim her dominant form.
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