Coco Gauff sent a resounding message to the tennis world on Sunday, powering past fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to capture her second Cincinnati Open title and her first trophy of the 2026 season.
The victory marks Gauff’s 12th career singles title and her fourth Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 championship overall.
More significantly, she became just the third woman in the Open Era to win multiple Cincinnati titles, joining legends Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka in that exclusive company.
The world No. 4 came out firing from the first point, racing to a 5-0 lead in the opening set before Pegula could find her footing.
Gauff’s improved serve and relentless defence kept the third-seeded Pegula — who had eliminated six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals — from building any sustained momentum.
The match lasted just one hour and 14 minutes, with Gauff converting five of six break points. Pegula briefly rallied in the second set, cutting the deficit to 5-4, but Gauff ripped off four straight receiving points to seal the title.
A Historic All-American Final
Sunday’s final was the first all-American women’s final at the Cincinnati Open in 56 years — the last being in 1970, when Rosie Casals defeated Nancy Richey.
Gauff’s triumph also carried a deeper personal significance. Reflecting on her journey, she said in her on-court interview:
“I’d like to thank God for just bringing me through these tough periods. Last year I was literally in the parking lot like in tears. It’s a big difference what a year can make.“
A Statement Ahead of Flushing Meadows
The timing could not be more perfect. When Gauff won Cincinnati in 2023, she went on to capture her first Grand Slam title at the US Open three weeks later.
Now, with her confidence restored and her game clicking at precisely the right moment, she heads to New York as one of the favourites.
“I think with each match, I was feeling more and more confident in trusting the work that I put in,” Gauff said.
“It’s going to be tough in New York, but just knowing the quality wins that I had this week, knowing that I’m able to figure it out even if I’m not playing my best, but also knowing that I can play that great tennis that I felt like I was playing this week.“
Pegula, gracious in defeat, offered a warning to the rest of the draw: “A dangerous, confident Coco — that’s gonna be tough in New York.“
The head-to-head series between the two Americans is now tied at five apiece. The main draw of the US Open begins on Sunday, 30 August 2026 — and Gauff will enter it with a trophy in hand and history on her mind.
