Coco Gauff delivered a dominant performance against third-seeded Jessica Pegula in the Cincinnati Open final to secure her inaugural trophy of 2026 and send a strong message ahead of the US Open.
With a swift 6-2 6-4 victory over her fellow American Pegula in just 74 minutes, the 22-year-old became only the third player to win this WTA 1000 tournament twice, following in the footsteps of Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.
After capturing the Cincinnati crown back in 2023, Gauff famously followed up that success by claiming her debut Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows a mere three weeks later.
Securing her initial WTA championship since her triumph in Wuhan last October, the double-Grand Slam winner has firmly re-established her status as a top contender for the upcoming tournament in New York.
“As the tournament progressed, I felt my self-belief grow, allowing me to trust my preparation and training—and giving me the certainty that I can navigate through these tough encounters,” noted the world number four Gauff, who conceded only a single set throughout her run in Cincinnati.
“The competition in New York will be fierce, but it helps to look back at the high-caliber victories I achieved this week. It proves I can find solutions even when my game isn’t perfect, while also reminding me that I’m capable of the high-level performance I displayed here.”
While the qualifying rounds for the US Open got underway on Sunday, the main tournament action is set to commence on Sunday, 30 August.
