Coco Gauff overcame fellow American Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, to claim her second Cincinnati Open women’s singles championship. This victory places the world No. 4 in an exclusive group; she becomes only the third player in the Open Era—joining legends Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka—to capture more than one title at the Cincinnati tournament.
Pegula’s path to the final had been impressive, highlighted by a semi‑final upset over defending champion Iga Swiatek. Gauff, meanwhile, dispatched unseeded Czech competitor Sara Bejlek—who had earlier eliminated world No.
1 Aryna Sabalenka—from the draw, setting the stage for the first all‑American women’s final in Cincinnati in 56 years. The match began with Gauff racing to a 5‑0 advantage in the opening set, ultimately sealing it 6‑2.
Pegula rallied in the second set, narrowing the gap to 5‑4, but Gauff’s relentless pressure proved decisive. She converted five of six break‑point opportunities and closed out the contest without dropping a set throughout the tournament, finishing with five straight‑set victories in Cincinnati. After the win, Gauff reflected on her progress: “It’s been a long journey, but I’m really happy.
It feels like night and day compared to who I was last year.” She added, “I don’t want to claim this automatically predicts success in New York at the US Open, but the quality of wins I’ve had this week gives me confidence and valuable experience.” Pegula praised Gauff’s consistency, noting, “She played at a very high level and didn’t have many dips. I didn’t think I played badly, but the more I tried to construct points against her, the tougher it became because she loves to run. A dangerous, confident Coco is heading to New York.” The head‑to‑head record between the two Americans is now even at five wins each. This final marked their second meeting in a tournament final, the first being Gauff’s victory over Pegula in Wuhan the previous year.
Beyond the match itself, the Cincinnati triumph adds momentum to Gauff’s season as she looks ahead to the US Open, scheduled to begin on August 30. Her ability to dominate top‑ranked opponents—evidenced by her straight‑set wins over both Swiatek’s vanquisher and Sabalenka’s conqueror—suggests she has the form and mental fortitude required for a deep run in New York.
The Cincinnati Open, officially known as the Western & Southern Open, is a key warm‑up event for the US Open, offering players a chance to adapt to the hard‑court surface and the North American swing. Historically, success in Cincinnati has often translated into strong performances at Flushing Meadows, with past champions such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams using the tournament as a springboard.
For Gauff, capturing a second title here not only cements her status as a rising star but also underscores her growing consistency on big stages. Her aggressive baseline play, combined with an improving serve and the ability to sustain high intensity throughout matches, makes her a formidable opponent for any player in the draw.
Looking ahead, analysts will be watching how Gauff manages the physical and mental demands of back‑to‑back tournaments. The US Open will present a deeper field, including seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers, all vying for the sport’s most prestigious hard‑court title. Gauff’s recent form, highlighted by her five straight‑set victories in Cincinnati, suggests she possesses the stamina and tactical versatility needed to navigate the grueling two‑week Grand Slam schedule. Fans can follow Gauff’s journey live on Sky Sports, where both ATP and WTA matches are broadcast, and can also stream tennis without a contract through platforms like NOW and the Sky Sports app.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming US Open, all eyes will be on the young American who has already shown she can dominate elite competition and who now carries the momentum of a second Cincinnati crown into the next major challenge.