Coco Gauff, the formidable top seed, demonstrated remarkable resilience at the WTA Canadian Open in Montreal, battling through another challenging three-setter to secure her spot in the fourth round. Her latest triumph saw her overcome Veronika Kudermetova in a contest that tested her resolve and underscored her tenacious spirit on the court.

The match against Kudermetova proved to be a true test of nerve for the world number two. Gauff found herself trailing by a set and a crucial break, facing an uphill climb against a determined opponent. Despite her recent Roland Garros victory, Gauff has openly acknowledged her ongoing struggles with consistency, particularly concerning her serve, which has been a point of focus for her recent training.

Yet, true to her championship pedigree, Gauff mounted a powerful comeback. After dropping the first set 4-6 and conceding an early break in the second, she meticulously worked her way back into contention. Breaking Kudermetova to level at 3-3, she then secured another crucial break to force the deciding set, where her momentum propelled her to a commanding 2-0 lead, ultimately closing out the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

“The goal of the game is to survive and advance,” Gauff remarked post-match, encapsulating her pragmatic approach to overcoming challenges on the tennis court. She conceded that it wasn’t her peak performance, but emphasized that it was sufficient for the day, highlighting her ability to win even when not at her absolute best, a hallmark of elite tennis players.

Gauff’s arrival in Montreal followed a period of mixed results post her French Open triumph, having experienced early exits at Wimbledon and Berlin. Her initial match in Montreal against Danielle Collins also saw her grapple with significant serve issues, recording a high number of double faults, yet still managing to secure a victory.

While the double fault count was lower against Kudermetova, with 14 recorded, it remained a significant factor. Seven of these occurred in the opening set, contributing to Gauff surrendering an early 4-1 lead. This persistent issue with her serve is particularly frustrating for Gauff, as she dedicated the preceding week in Washington to intensive practice aimed at improving this aspect of her game.

Beyond Gauff’s gripping encounter, the WTA Canadian Open continued to deliver captivating results. American McCartney Kessler delivered a stunning upset, defeating the highly-touted Mirra Andreeva in a tightly contested match. Andreeva, an 18-year-old talent who has made significant waves on the WTA tour this year, started strongly but ultimately succumbed to Kessler’s tenacity.

Kessler’s victory, a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 win, showcased her resilience. Despite Andreeva jumping to a quick 3-1 lead in the first set, Kessler twice broke back, and after Andreeva failed to serve out the set, the American dominated the tiebreaker. Kessler is now set to vie for her inaugural WTA 1000 quarter-final against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who herself advanced after defeating Daria Kasatkina in another compelling three-set battle.