Coco Gauff Fights Back to Beat Kudermetova as Kessler Stuns Andreeva at Canadian Open

Posted : 01 August 2025

World No. 2 Coco Gauff once again displayed her resilience at the WTA Canadian Open, recovering from a set and a break down to defeat Veronika Kudermetova in three sets, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, and secure her place in the fourth round. Despite continuing struggles with her serve, including 14 double faults, the American top seed held firm to turn the match around and outlast the former world No. 9.

Reflecting on her performance, Gauff said, “The goal is to survive and advance. It wasn’t my best tennis, but it was enough today and that’s what matters.” After a tough summer that saw early exits at both Wimbledon and Berlin following her French Open triumph, Gauff arrived in Montreal determined to bounce back.

Although she looked shaky in her opener against Danielle Collins—where she hit 23 double faults—Gauff managed to battle through. Against Kudermetova, the errors continued, especially in the first set where she squandered a 4-1 lead. But her mental strength showed as she recovered in the second set, breaking twice to level the match, and then dominating the third with aggressive baseline play.

Gauff acknowledged her visible frustration, saying, “I got a little upset with myself, and I’m sure everyone could see that. But mentally, I’m proud of how I stayed in it.” She added that skipping the Washington tournament to work on her serve hasn’t yet paid dividends in matches, but she remains optimistic. Her next opponent is 18-year-old Canadian wild card Victoria Mboko, who staged her own comeback to defeat Czech player Marie Bouzkova 1-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Elsewhere in the tournament, McCartney Kessler pulled off the upset of the day, defeating world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva 7-6(5), 6-4 in a gritty performance. Andreeva started strong, taking a 3-1 lead in the opening set, but Kessler fought back, breaking twice and saving two set points before clinching the tiebreak. She carried that momentum into the second set, going up 4-1 before closing out the match.

Andreeva’s struggles were compounded by a fall in the second set that required medical treatment for her ankle—an unfortunate development with the US Open approaching. Kessler, meanwhile, will now face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who came from behind to beat Daria Kasatkina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) in a closely contested match.

In other results, Zhu Lin of China, returning from injury, cruised past Suzan Lamens 6-2, 6-2 to advance, while Spain’s Jessica Bouzas overcame Japanese qualifier Aoi Ito in a three-set battle. Ninth-seeded Elena Rybakina also advanced, defeating Jacqueline Cristian 6-0, 7-6(5), and will next face Dayana Yastremska, who eliminated American eighth seed Emma Navarro 7-5, 6-4.

With several top seeds tested and rising stars making headlines, the Canadian Open is shaping up to deliver more high drama in the rounds ahead.

Coco Gauff Fights Back to Beat Kudermetova as Kessler Stuns Andreeva at Canadian Open

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