American professional tennis player, Coco Gauff may have handed out 23 double faults—but in the end, she handed herself something far more valuable: a hard-earned victory.
In a wild, nerve-wracking opening match at the Canadian Open in Montreal, the reigning French Open champion shook off serving demons and mental rust to outlast fellow American Danielle Collins in a 7‑5, 4‑6, 7‑6(2) marathon that lasted nearly three hours.
It marked Gauff’s first win since her triumph at Roland Garros in June—and it didn’t come easy.
A Battle of Wills, Not Just Skills
From the very first game, it was clear that Gauff’s serve wasn’t cooperating. With 23 double faults and 74 unforced errors, her rhythm teetered on the edge of collapse. Collins, ever the fighter, smelled blood and pressed hard—attacking Gauff’s second serve and forcing deep rallies.
Still, Gauff found her footing when it mattered most. Her groundstrokes, movement, and fighting spirit helped her claw back momentum. A gutsy ace sealed the match in the deciding tiebreak, a shot of redemption after nearly unraveling.
“Hopefully I got my bad match of the tournament out of the way,” Gauff said post-match, visibly relieved. “Now I can just move forward and play freer.”
Behind the Numbers: The Serving Slump
Gauff’s win in Montreal ended a rough patch that included:
A first-round Wimbledon exit, plagued by nine double faults and 29 unforced errors against Dayana Yastremska.
A fourth-round U.S. Open defeat, where she again recorded 19 double faults in a shaky performance.
Her second-serve double fault rate this season sits at a concerning 26%—the highest among WTA’s Top 50—up from 21.2% last year. While her athleticism and mental toughness remain elite, the serve has become a glaring vulnerability.
Next Up: Kudermetova and Course Correction
Gauff now faces Veronika Kudermetova in the third round—a player known for aggressive returns and consistency. To keep her title hopes alive in Montreal, Gauff will need to clean up her service motion and keep her nerves at bay.
Despite the turbulence, the 20-year-old remains a top contender. Her comeback win wasn’t flawless—but it was gutsy, resilient, and, most importantly, forward-moving.
Match Snapshot:
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Canadian Open, Montreal |
| Opponent | Danielle Collins |
| Score | 7‑5, 4‑6, 7‑6(2) |
| Double Faults | 23 |
| Unforced Errors | 74 |
| Significance | First win since French Open title |
