MONTREAL — Top seed Coco Gauff showcased her trademark resilience on Wednesday, battling back from a set down to defeat Veronika Kudermetova 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a thrilling third-round match at the Canadian Open. The 19-year-old American, fresh off her maiden WTA 1000 title in Cincinnati last week, extended her winning streak to eight matches with a gutsy performance that lasted two hours and 15 minutes.
Gauff's victory marks her fourth consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 event this season, further cementing her status as one of the tour's most consistent performers. The match, played under the lights at IGA Stadium, saw the world No. 7 overcome early struggles with her serve and forehand before finding her rhythm in the decisive moments. "I knew I had to dig deep after that first set," Gauff told reporters afterward. "Veronika came out playing unbelievable tennis, and I just had to weather the storm."
A Rocky Start and Tactical Adjustment
The opening set belonged entirely to Kudermetova, who capitalized on Gauff's uncharacteristically shaky serving (38% first serves in) to break twice. The Russian's powerful groundstrokes and aggressive net play kept Gauff on the defensive, with the American committing 15 unforced errors in the first seven games alone. "She was hitting lines and making me play every point," Gauff admitted. "I knew I needed to change something."
The turning point came early in the second set when Gauff:
- Increased her first-serve percentage to 68%
- Began employing more slice backhands to disrupt Kudermetova's rhythm
- Stepped inside the baseline to take time away from her opponent
The Deciding Set Drama
After leveling the match, Gauff faced her sternest test in the third set when Kudermetova broke for a 4-3 lead. The Russian's powerful returns had Gauff scrambling, but the young American responded with what she later called "the best three games I've played all tournament." A stunning backhand pass at 30-30 in the eighth game sparked the comeback, followed by a perfectly executed drop shot that brought the crowd to its feet.
Key statistics from the final set:
- Gauff won 12 of 14 points at the net
- Converted 3 of 4 break point opportunities
- Hit 14 winners against just 8 unforced errors
Post-Match Reactions
Kudermetova, who defeated Gauff in their only previous meeting at the 2022 Qatar Open, praised her opponent's mental toughness: "Coco played the important points better today. When she needed to raise her level, she did. That's why she's top 10." The loss marked Kudermetova's sixth consecutive defeat against top-10 opponents this season.
Gauff, meanwhile, acknowledged the significance of her recent form: "Last year I might have lost that match in straight sets. I'm learning how to problem-solve during matches and trust my game even when things aren't perfect." The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash against either Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova or 13th seed Belinda Bencic.
Looking Ahead
With the US Open just two weeks away, Gauff's Montreal performance reinforces her status as a legitimate contender for her first Grand Slam title. Coach Brad Gilbert, who joined her team last month, has emphasized improving her consistency on serve and developing more variety in her groundstrokes - adjustments that were evident in Wednesday's comeback.
The teenager now holds a 36-12 record for the season, with three titles to her name. A deep run in Montreal would see her surpass her career-high ranking of No. 4, achieved earlier this year. As Gauff put it: "Every match right now feels like an opportunity to grow and get better."
The Canadian Open continues Thursday with quarterfinal action, where Gauff will look to continue her momentum against another tough opponent. With her combination of athleticism, tactical maturity, and competitive fire, the young star appears poised for another breakthrough performance on the big stage.