Canadian Open 2025: Coco Gauff stages gritty comeback, Zverev hits 500 career wins, Mboko makes history

The 2025 Canadian Open continues to produce high-octane tennis drama, with headline performances from top seed Coco Gauff and German star Alexander Zverev lighting up the courts in Montreal and Toronto respectively. While Gauff showed resilience and mental fortitude to battle past Veronika Kudermetova, Zverev etched his name into the tennis history books with his 500th career tour-level win. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko stunned the home crowd with a career-defining victory that guarantees her entry into the WTA Top 70 rankings.

Gauff survives Kudermetova scare to reach Canadian Open Fourth Round

Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion and world number two, had to dig deep to secure her place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Canadian Open. In what was a nail-biting encounter, Gauff came from a set and a break down to defeat Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Kudermetova, who came into the match with nothing to lose, displayed early dominance and tactical control, breaking Gauff’s serve twice in the opening set. The Russian continued her aggressive play into the second set, breaking Gauff again to take a 5-4 lead. But the 2025 Roland Garros champion flipped the switch just in time, rallying to win the next three games and force a deciding set.

The final set was a masterclass in control from the American star, as she wore down her opponent with high-percentage plays, precise footwork, and trademark defensive skill. Gauff’s ability to raise her game in key moments underlines why she remains one of the top contenders on the WTA circuit this season.

She will now face Victoria Mboko, the 18-year-old Canadian wildcard who has taken the tournament by storm.

Victoria Mboko breaks through on home soil

In what is shaping up to be one of the standout stories of the 2025 Canadian Open, Victoria Mboko pulled off a sensational comeback of her own, defeating Czech player Marie Bouzkova 1-6, 3-6, 6-0 in a dramatic third-round match.

After struggling to find rhythm in the first two sets, Mboko showed remarkable poise and physical endurance to blank her opponent in the deciding set. Her aggressive returns and net play left Bouzkova unable to recover. The victory propels the young Canadian into the fourth round of a WTA 1000 event for the first time in her career.

Currently ranked world number 85, Mboko is now guaranteed to break into the WTA Top 70, a significant milestone in what many predict will be a long and successful career for the teenager.

McCartney Kessler shocks Andreeva as American surge continues

In another twist from the women’s draw, 28th seed McCartney Kessler upset fourth seed Mirra Andreeva in straight sets, 7-6, 6-5. Kessler’s powerful groundstrokes and tactical depth overwhelmed the Russian, who was tipped by many to go far in the tournament.

Kessler will now take on Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, the 27th seed, who came from behind to beat 15th seed Daria Kasatkina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). Kostyuk’s aggressive baseline play and mental toughness in the tiebreak made the difference in a match that swung wildly between both players.

Zhu Lin of China cruises to Round of 16

China’s Zhu Lin, unseeded at this year’s Canadian Open, produced one of the cleanest performances of the tournament with a 6-2, 6-2 demolition of the Netherlands' Suzan Lamens. Zhu’s consistent first serve and precise placement were too much for Lamens, as she now books her place in the fourth round and continues to fly under the radar as a potential dark horse.

Zverev celebrates 500th Tour win in Toronto Men’s draw

Over in Toronto, German ace Alexander Zverev added a historic milestone to his decorated career by clinching his 500th ATP tour-level victory. The top seed had to come from behind to defeat Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-2 in an intense third-round battle.

“It’s a great achievement. Not many players get to 500 wins,” said Zverev after the match. “Of course, I still want 500 more, maybe even more. When you start out, you dream of days like this.”

Zverev’s next opponent will be Francisco Cerundolo, who overcame fellow Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets earlier in the day.

Defending Champion Popyrin eliminates Medvedev

In another blockbuster clash, defending champion Alexei Popyrin took down former world number one Daniil Medvedev in a three-set thriller 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Popyrin, who had led 4-2 in the first set before losing it, showed strong mental recovery and tactical improvement to close out the final two sets against the Russian 10th seed.

Related News: Alexei Popyrin beats Andrey Rublev to be crowned champion of Canadian Open

“I felt I was in control early, but once I let go, I had to reset. Once I found my rhythm, everything clicked again,” Popyrin said.

He will now meet fifth seed Holger Rune in the fourth round.

Alex Michelsen, seeded 26th, added to the string of upsets by knocking out third seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. The young American showed grit and calmness in the decisive set and will face either Learner Tien or Reilly Opelka in an all-American fourth-round match-up.

Elsewhere, eighth seed Casper Ruud continued his solid run with a 7-6, 6-4 win over Portugal’s Nuno Borges and will meet Karen Khachanov, who came from a set down to dispatch Emilio Nava 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.

What’s next at the Canadian Open 2025?

The fourth-round ties promise more fireworks as top seeds face rising stars in matches that could reshape the rankings landscape. Coco Gauff’s face-off against Canada’s Victoria Mboko is expected to draw massive attention, while Zverev will look to maintain momentum after hitting a career landmark.

With surprise exits and thrilling comebacks dominating the headlines, the 2025 Canadian Open is proving once again why it remains one of the must-watch tournaments on the tennis calendar.

SportsLigue