The Cincinnati Open is poised to stage a historic moment on the women's side, as Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula have each secured their places in the championship match, creating the tournament's first all-American final since 1970. That previous all-American showdown featured Rosie Casals defeating Nancy Richey, making this year’s final a notable milestone after more than five decades of international competition. Gauff, the tournament's fourth seed, dispatched Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek with a commanding 6-4, 6-1 victory. From the outset, the 20‑year‑old displayed the aggressive baseline play and athleticism that have become her trademark.
She broke Bejlek’s serve early in the first set, raced to a 4-1 lead, and, despite a brief resurgence from the Czech who managed to level the score at 4-4, Gauff re‑asserted her dominance with a second break that sealed the set. In the second set she continued to apply relentless pressure, capitalising on a string of unforced errors from Bejlek, breaking twice more and closing out the match in just 76 minutes. Pegula, seeded third, earned her final berth by overcoming the defending champion and six‑time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek in a three‑set thriller, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. The match began with both players exchanging early breaks, only to be interrupted by a brief rain delay when the score was tied at 1‑1.
Swiatek fought back, leveling the set at 4‑4 before taking a 5‑4 lead, but Pegula seized a pivotal double fault from Swiatek to break for 6‑5 and then clinched the opening set with a simple winner. The second set saw Swiatek raise her aggression, breaking in the sixth game to go up 4‑2, yet Pegula responded with a timely break of her own, restoring parity. After a series of long rallies, Pegula held her nerve, breaking again in the decisive third set to go up 4‑3, then securing the final break and serving out the match for a memorable win. After the semi‑finals, Pegula reflected on the difficulty of the contest, noting, "It was a really tough match.
She (Swiatek) is in great form. To beat someone who is such a great athlete like Iga in the semis and to make it to another 1000 final, it's awesome." Her confidence will now be tested against Gauff, who herself has been on a remarkable run, having previously upset world No.
1 Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys on her way to this first WTA 1000 semi‑final. The men's draw also featured an all‑American final, with Frances Tiafoe set to meet France's rising star Arthur Fils.
Fils earned his spot by defeating seventh seed Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-4 in a match that lasted just 67 minutes. After an early break exchange that left the first set dead‑locked at 3‑3, Fils surged ahead, breaking decisively in the eighth game and maintaining his momentum into the second set, where he opened with a break and never looked back.
He finished the match with 22 winners and six aces, and his performance propelled him ten places up the ATP rankings to world No. 11.
Tiafoe, meanwhile, secured his place in the men's final by beating fellow American Brandon Nakashima 7-5, 6-3. The semi‑final featured four consecutive service breaks, leaving the first set tied at 3‑3 before Tiafoe broke to love in the seventh game, then again to take a 6-5 lead and close out the set.
He continued his strong play in the second set, breaking early to go up 3-2 and eventually serving out the match. Both finals promise high‑quality tennis and a compelling narrative of American talent on a global stage.
Gauff and Pegula will bring contrasting styles—Gauff’s explosive speed and powerful groundstrokes versus Pegula’s steady baseline consistency and tactical acumen—while the men's final will showcase the youthful fire of Fils against Tiafoe’s experience and resilience. Fans can follow the action live on various platforms, including Sky Sports and the NOW streaming service, which offers contract‑free access to tennis coverage. The Cincinnati Open continues to attract top talent and deliver memorable moments, and this historic all‑American women's final adds another chapter to its storied legacy.