Gauff Returns to Competition with Grit and Guts
Coco Gauff made a hard-fought return to the court Tuesday night at the National Bank Open in Montreal, surviving a rollercoaster second-round clash against fellow American Danielle Collins. In her first match since an early Wimbledon exit, Gauff battled through 23 double-faults to claim a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2) victory in a marathon match that lasted 2 hours and 55 minutes.
The win marks her first since capturing the French Open title in June, but it didn’t come easily. Gauff appeared to be working with a new serving grip, which led to erratic service games throughout the contest. Some serves sailed well beyond the lines, while others lacked pace and were easily punished by the aggressive Collins.
“It was a frustrating match for me,” Gauff admitted after the match.
“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 could come back stronger the next round.”
Serving Woes Resurface in Opening Match
Gauff’s serve has been a recurring concern in her young career. Her U.S. Open title defense ended last year in the fourth round after committing 19 double-faults in a loss to Emma Navarro. On Tuesday, that issue flared up again with an even higher total — though she fittingly ended the match with a clutch ace.
Despite the inconsistency, Gauff’s overall game held up under pressure. She hit with depth and composure from the baseline, and her athleticism helped her weather Collins’ aggressive shot-making. Gauff's resilience, especially in the third-set tiebreak, ultimately proved decisive.
“I felt that I was playing well except that part of my game,” she said.
“But I felt like off the ground I was playing pretty well.”
Looking Ahead: Kudermetova Awaits in Third Round
With world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka withdrawing from the tournament, Gauff enters Montreal as the top seed, a status that comes with both opportunity and expectation. She will next face Veronika Kudermetova in the third round — a match Gauff believes can be much shorter if she improves her service game.
“I could possibly cut [the match time] in half if I cleaned up my serve,” Gauff quipped.
Still just 20, Gauff continues to mature under the spotlight. While her serve remains a work in progress, her poise under pressure and ability to fight through adversity remain among her biggest assets — and with time, those elements may prove even more valuable than a flawless delivery.