Gauff Overcomes Serve Woes in Gritty Victory \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Coco Gauff rallied past Veronika Kudermetova despite 14 double-faults at the National Bank Open. She came from a set and break down to advance to the round of 16. The world No. 2 continues to fight through shaky serving after her French Open win.
Quick Looks
- Gauff defeats Kudermetova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in Toronto.
- Struggled with 14 double-faults, following 23 in previous match.
- Recovered from a set and break deficit to reach Round of 16.
- Credited her mental strength and return game for the win.
- Gauff remains world No. 2 behind Aryna Sabalenka.
- Entered tournament on two-match losing streak post-French Open.
- McCartney Kessler upset No. 4 seed Mirra Andreeva.
- Elina Svitolina advanced past Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets.
Deep Look
Coco Gauff’s path at the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto continues to be anything but smooth—but it’s also emblematic of the grit and composure that have made her one of the top players in the world. On Thursday, the 20-year-old American and No. 2-ranked player overcame another shaky service performance, battling past Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the Round of 16.
Once again, Gauff’s biggest opponent wasn’t necessarily across the net. The American phenom struggled mightily with her serve, tallying 14 double-faults—just two days after an astonishing 23 in her opening win over fellow American Danielle Collins. While most players would falter under such recurring pressure, Gauff dug deep, finding ways to stay mentally composed and turn the match around after dropping the first set and going down a break in the second.
“It was a tough match,” Gauff admitted in her post-match comments. “I thought I did well mentally, especially on the return. I was playing an opponent that served really well. Obviously, I would like to serve better on my end, but overall, just happy to get through.”
Her ability to bounce back under pressure has become a signature of her game. Against Kudermetova, Gauff’s resilience was tested again and again. After losing the opening set 4-6, she faced a pivotal moment midway through the second set. Down a break and with momentum slipping away, Gauff responded with aggressive baseline play and relentless defense, managing to reclaim the break and shift the tone of the match.
Her return game, often underrated, proved essential. Kudermetova served strongly throughout, but Gauff’s ability to read her opponent’s deliveries and extend rallies allowed her to dictate play in key moments. By the time the third set began, Gauff had wrested control and never looked back. She stormed through the final set with a commanding 6-2 finish, signaling not just a physical but a mental breakthrough.
This latest performance comes amid a turbulent summer for Gauff. Since her title-winning run at the French Open, the American star had lost her opening matches in both Berlin and Wimbledon—two results that raised concerns about her form entering the hardcourt season. Her first match in Toronto, marked by a marathon third-set tiebreak and record-setting double-faults, did little to silence critics.
Yet Gauff’s campaign in Canada is starting to look like a return to her fighting form. Even with glaring flaws in her service game, she’s finding ways to win. That’s a trait often seen in champions.
Currently ranked No. 2 in the world behind Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff is one of the sport’s biggest young stars and a leading contender for the U.S. Open later this summer. But her continued struggles with double-faults—especially under pressure—remain an area of concern for her team and fans alike.
Meanwhile, the National Bank Open continues to produce notable storylines outside of Gauff’s resurgence. One of the biggest surprises of the day came from McCartney Kessler, an American qualifier who stunned fourth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia with a 7-6 (5), 6-4 upset. Kessler’s fearless approach and consistent groundstrokes kept the teenage sensation off balance, earning the underdog a spot in the next round.
Elina Svitolina also advanced convincingly, defeating Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia 7-5, 6-2. The tenth-seeded Ukrainian is showing renewed consistency after returning to tour following maternity leave. Her mix of experience and determination makes her another dangerous player in a draw now featuring fewer top seeds due to early exits.
Back to Gauff, her next matches will serve as a test of how far her mental resilience can take her, especially if the service issues persist. For now, the American remains focused on one match at a time. While her victories in Toronto may not have been picture-perfect, they are victories nonetheless—and that matters more in the long run.
What’s clear is that Coco Gauff is not just surviving these challenges—she’s learning and adapting in real-time. Whether that translates into another title remains to be seen, but if she continues to battle through adversity like this, her prospects for the hardcourt season, and the Grand Slams ahead, remain strong.
Gauff Overcomes Serve Gauff Overcomes Serve
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