In a heart-pounding clash at the National Bank Open in Montreal on July 29, 2025, top seed Coco Gauff battled past fellow American Danielle Collins in a second-round epic that stretched nearly three hours. The world No. 2, fresh off her French Open triumph in June, emerged victorious with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2) scoreline, overcoming a staggering 23 double faults and 74 unforced errors to secure her first win since a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon. The match, a rollercoaster of momentum swings and nine breaks of serve apiece, showcased Gauff’s resilience and Collins’ relentless fight, leaving fans at IGA Stadium buzzing with excitement.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, faced a formidable challenge in Collins, a former world No. 7 and 2024 Miami Open winner, whose aggressive, flat-hitting style pushed her to the brink. The 32-year-old Collins, now ranked No. 61 after a dip in form, came within two points of victory while serving at 6-5 in the third set. Yet Gauff’s tenacity shone through, as she clawed back with a backhand crosscourt winner to force a tiebreak, which she dominated 7-2. “It was a frustrating match for me,” Gauff admitted post-match, reflecting on her struggles. “I felt like I was practicing well and then I don’t think I transferred it today, but hopefully I got my bad match of the tournament out of the way, and I can come back stronger in the next round.”
The match was a tale of serving woes for both players. Gauff’s 23 double faults, a career-high in a WTA 1000 match, included serves that sailed long and others that Collins pounced on with her trademark ferocity. Collins, no stranger to service struggles herself, contributed 13 double faults and 80 unforced errors, making the contest a gritty battle of attrition. Despite the errors, Gauff found positives in her performance, noting, “For me to break her as many times as I did, there are some positives to take from today.” Her ability to convert nine of 16 break-point opportunities underscored her determination, even as her new serving grip, tweaked after Wimbledon, faltered under pressure.
Beyond the on-court drama, Gauff’s post-match comments highlighted the camaraderie she shares with Collins, forged during their time as teammates at the 2025 United Cup, where they helped the USA clinch the title. “This is my first time playing Danielle [Collins], I know her very well,” Gauff said. “She is obviously a tough competitor and great tennis player, great person. I got to know her really well at the United Cup, and she is always nice to me.” This warmth contrasted with the intensity of their first career meeting, a testament to Collins’ vibrant personality, which Gauff previously described as “authentically herself” during their United Cup campaign. “No one can change her, and she doesn’t care either—that’s something I respect,” Gauff had noted earlier this year, praising Collins’ unapologetic energy.
Collins, who briefly reversed her 2024 retirement decision after a stellar Miami title run, brought her signature “feistiness” to Montreal, as she promised pre-match: “We are going to bring the energy, we are going to bring that feistiness, right?” Her performance against Gauff, while erratic, showcased her power, with both players landing only 55% of first serves and winning less than 35% of second-serve points. Despite the loss, Collins’ resilience was evident, as she erased deficits of 2-0 and 4-2 in the third set, nearly pulling off an upset against the reigning French Open champion.
Gauff’s victory sets up a third-round clash with Veronika Kudermetova, a former top-10 player who dispatched Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2. The 21-year-old American, carrying a 31-10 record this season, is eager to rebound from a lackluster grass-court campaign and capitalize on Montreal’s hard courts, a surface where she won the 2023 US Open. “Being back in Montreal is great, and it’s definitely refreshing,” Gauff said, expressing her fondness for the tournament. Her decision to skip the Citi Open for a training block, as she explained, “was nice to actually have some time in between,” though the 23 double faults suggest her serve remains a work in progress.
As Gauff eyes a deep run in Montreal, where she fell in the third round last year, her battle with Collins underscored her ability to win even when not at her best—a trait she’s shown en route to her two Grand Slam titles. With the US Open looming on August 24, 2025, Gauff’s Montreal performance, flaws and all, signals her readiness to compete at the highest level, while her praise for Collins highlights the mutual respect that defines their rivalry.
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