Coco Gauff, the top seed at the National Bank Open in Montreal, is preparing to face Veronika Kudermetova in the third round after winning a challenging opening match against Danielle Collins in a decisive three-set battle that concluded with a nail-biting tiebreak in the final set. Kudermetova, who is unseeded, has also showcased her resilience, moving through the tournament with a three-set victory over Cristian Bucsa and a straight-sets upset against 29th seed Olga Danilovic.
Gauff, currently ranked World No. 2, has recently rebounded from a mid-season slump, demonstrating remarkable form in clay tournaments with impressive finishes in Stuttgart, Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros. Despite some inconsistencies—including withdrawals from Berlin and Wimbledon—her statistics this season are notable: 116 aces, a 70.1% win rate on first serve, and a 54.2% break point conversion rate.
On the other hand, Kudermetova, who gained recognition for her prowess in doubles after winning the Wimbledon title with Elise Mertens, has faced a mixed year in singles. Her best outings this season have included a fourth-round appearance at the Australian Open. Her stats reflect her potential: 137 aces and a 65.4% success rate on first serves.
The upcoming clash marks another chapter in Gauff and Kudermetova’s rivalry, which has seen Gauff lead with a 2-1 head-to-head record, with their previous encounters highlighting tightly contested matches. Gauff’s victories came after a tough quarterfinal defeat to Kudermetova early last year in Doha, showcasing the competitive nature of their matchups.
As the tournament progresses, Gauff stands as the favorite, bolstered by her recent performances and overall ranking. The odds suggest she is expected to come out strong against Kudermetova, who will seek to use her recent doubles success to maintain a psychological edge in this encounter.
In light of Gauff’s growth and resilience, fans can be hopeful for a thrilling match as she aims to move forward in the tournament, continuing to carve her path as one of the top players in women’s tennis.