Coco Gauff overcomes 23 double faults to squeak past Danielle Collins in Montreal

In June, Coco Gauff celebrated her second major title at Roland Garros. On Tuesday evening, she celebrated her first win in three appearances since that crowning achievement.

And Gauff did so by overcoming 23 double faults and being within two points of defeat.

The top seed in Montreal with Aryna Sabalenka absent, Gauff survived countrywoman Danielle Collins at the National Bank Open, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (2).

Finding a rhythm on serve proved a challenge for both competitors. The two each went nine for 16 on their break point chances and in addition to Gauff’s problems at the line, Collins herself double-faulted 13 times.

The former Australian Open finalist nearly pulled off her second win over a world No. 2 this season. Having twice erased a break deficit in the decider, Collins served for the match at 6-5 but couldn’t string together the right sequence of points in losing the two-deuce game.

Gauff soon ran away with the final five points of the first-time meeting, ironically finishing with an ace out wide to prevail after two hours and 56 minutes.

This is the 21-year-old’s first tournament since going 0-2 on grass that ended with an opening defeat at Wimbledon to Dayana Yastremska. Veronika Kudermetova, who knocked off 29th seed Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2, awaits Gauff in the third round.