Rennae Stubbs, former coach of Serena Williams, expressed pride after Coco Gauff delivered on her prediction by winning against Danielle Collins in the opening round of the National Bank Open. This victory marks Gauff’s first since capturing her Roland Garros title and follows a string of early exits at Wimbledon and the Berlin Open, making her comeback at Montreal a notable moment.
Gauff previously made headlines by winning her first clay court major at the French Open, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and becoming the first American woman to do so since Serena Williams in 2015. Despite this breakthrough, she struggled to maintain consistent form on grass courts, but the Canadian Open provided a stage for her impressive resurgence after nearly losing in the opening round.
During the match against Collins, Gauff faced intense pressure in the third set but never allowed her opponent a match point. Collins lost nine of the last 11 points, enabling Gauff to recover from a setback in the first set and a loss in the second. Her relentless fight and speed played a decisive role in securing the win after a challenging first round.
Midway through the match, Stubbs publicly predicted that Gauff showed all the signs of a true champion who would rebound strongly.
“Cocos speed, tenacity and fight wins her so many matches! I know it’s not over but trust me, I think she still wins this…she just never gives up. It’s a true testament to her guts! she doesn’t let the worst effect her best! sign of a champion.”
—Rennae Stubbs, former Serena Williams coach
Following the conclusion of the match, Stubbs celebrated her accurate prediction with enthusiasm.
“Told Ya”
Looking ahead, Coco Gauff is scheduled to face Veronica Kudermetova in the second round of the National Bank Open on July 31, 2025.
Understanding Gauff’s Decision to Skip the Citi Open
In the lead-up to the National Bank Open, Coco Gauff addressed her withdrawal from the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the importance of rest and focused training amid a demanding season. She related her experience to that of reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, who has also struggled to find time to celebrate due to a packed tour calendar.
“Yeah, it was nice to actually have some time in between. That’s why I didn’t play D.C., because I wanted to just have a real training block, which I hadn’t had in a while just because of how our schedule is.”
—Coco Gauff, tennis player
Gauff also highlighted her appreciation for the Canadian Open’s alternating schedule with the Toronto tournament, which keeps the event fresh and motivating for players each year.
“Being back in Montreal is great, and it’s definitely refreshing. I like that they change it every other year just because it feels different each time. Yeah, I’m happy to be back here. I like this tournament a lot and would love to do great here one of these years.”
—Coco Gauff, tennis player
Gauff’s Rising Career Milestones and Future Prospects
Coco Gauff has quickly established herself as a prominent figure in women’s tennis, capturing her first major singles title at the 2023 US Open and securing the doubles title at the 2024 French Open. Her performance in Montreal further demonstrates her resilience and ability to overcome setbacks, reinforcing her reputation as a determined competitor.
With her victory in the National Bank Open first round affirming the “Coco Gauff Montreal win prediction,” attention now turns to her upcoming matches, where fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if she can maintain this upward trajectory.
This win also adds momentum to her season and showcases the growing impact of American talent in the international tennis landscape, reminiscent of Serena Williams’ earlier dominance. How Gauff leverages this confidence in the next rounds may well shape her path toward future championships.