In a heart-pounding display of resilience, Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and top seed at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, clawed her way to victory against Veronika Kudermetova in a grueling third-round match on Thursday, July 31. The American tennis sensation, fresh off her French Open triumph in June, found herself on the brink of defeat, trailing 4-6, 1-3, before summoning the mental fortitude to turn the tide. The final scoreline of 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 underscored Gauff’s ability to thrive under pressure, marking her 33rd win of the 2025 season and securing her place in the round of 16.
The match was a rollercoaster, with Gauff battling not only her opponent but also her own game. Despite unleashing 14 double faults, a persistent issue that has plagued her season, Gauff refused to let her serve betray her spirit. Kudermetova, a former world No. 9, came out swinging, capitalizing on Gauff’s early inconsistencies to claim the first set and build a commanding lead in the second. The Centre Court crowd held its breath as Gauff, visibly frustrated, struggled to find her rhythm. Yet, in a testament to her champion’s mentality, she regrouped, breaking back at a critical moment and igniting a spark that would carry her through.
“After your last match, I asked what you thought of your game. You beat yourself up a little,” a reporter noted in the post-match press conference, prompting Gauff to reflect on her performance. “The goal of the game is to survive and advance,” she responded with a wry smile. “It’s not my best, but it’s good enough for today. That’s all I can ask for.” Her candor highlighted the gritty reality of professional tennis, where perfection is often less important than perseverance.
This victory came on the heels of an equally dramatic second-round clash against fellow American Danielle Collins, where Gauff overcame a staggering 23 double faults to win 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2) in a near-three-hour epic. That match, described by fans as both “diabolical” and “spectacular,” saw Gauff two points from defeat before she roared back in a decisive tiebreak. Her ability to win “ugly,” as she’s mastered time and again, has become a hallmark of her young career. At just 21, Gauff’s mental toughness is arguably her greatest weapon, setting her apart as one of the WTA’s most formidable competitors.
The Montreal tournament, a key hard-court event leading up to the US Open starting August 24, has not been kind to Gauff in the past. Despite reaching the quarterfinals three times, including this year’s round of 16, she has yet to claim the title. Her struggles on serve—leading the WTA in double faults in 2024 and continuing the trend in 2025—have drawn scrutiny, with some analysts suggesting a biomechanical fix could unlock her full potential. Yet, Gauff’s ability to win despite these flaws speaks volumes about her resolve. “I thought that I was playing well, except that part of my game,” she admitted after her Collins match, hinting at the positives she’s drawing from her groundstrokes and movement.
As Gauff prepares for her next challenge in Montreal, her focus remains on finding her rhythm ahead of the US Open, where she’ll defend her 2023 title. Her journey this week has been anything but smooth, but her knack for surviving tough battles has kept her in the hunt. For fans, Gauff’s matches are a masterclass in heart and hustle, a reminder that champions are forged not in flawless performances but in moments of sheer determination. With the hard-court swing in full gear, all eyes are on Gauff to see if she can polish her game and make another deep run in New York.
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