Coco Gauff beats Pegula to win second Cincinnati title
Coco Gauff produced a dominant display against Jessica Pegula to win her second Cincinnati Open title, becoming only the third woman in the Open Era to claim the tournament more than once.
Coco Gauff has added another major milestone to her growing career after defeating fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to win the Cincinnati Open title on Sunday.
The fourth-seeded Gauff needed just 74 minutes to complete the victory, producing an aggressive and composed performance that saw her establish control almost immediately. The victory was particularly significant because it came in the first all-American Cincinnati women's final in 56 years.
Gauff raced into a 5-0 lead within the opening 30 minutes and eventually closed out the first set 6-2. Pegula showed greater resistance in the second, but Gauff remained in control and broke her opponent to love to seal the championship.
Gauff joins elite Cincinnati club
The Cincinnati triumph makes Gauff only the third woman in the Open Era to win the tournament more than once, joining two legendary names in Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.
It is also Gauff's fourth WTA 1000 title, further strengthening her record at one of the most important tournament levels outside the Grand Slams. The 22-year-old's latest title also represents a significant turnaround from her experience in Cincinnati a year earlier.
Gauff was eliminated in the quarter-finals in 2025 by eventual runner-up Jasmine Paolini, a result that contributed to doubts about the direction of her game. She acknowledged after Sunday's final that the contrast between last year's version of herself and the player who lifted the trophy this year was substantial.
“It’s night and day, the player I was last year to now.”
However, Gauff was careful not to read too much into the victory ahead of the US Open.
She said the Cincinnati result was not necessarily a guarantee of success in New York, but hoped the quality of her performances during the week would give her confidence and valuable experience heading into the final Grand Slam of the season.
Gauff's start proved decisive
The final was effectively shaped by Gauff's explosive opening. She immediately pressured Pegula's serve and built a 5-0 advantage before Pegula could establish any rhythm. Although Pegula eventually recovered a break, Gauff closed out the opening set 6-2.
The second set was more competitive, but Gauff's movement and ability to defend from difficult positions continued to frustrate her compatriot. Pegula acknowledged the difficulty of facing Gauff, particularly because of the 22-year-old's court coverage.
“She’s the best mover on tour, I think, by far.”
Pegula also felt she had constructed points well and did not believe she played poorly, but Gauff's level ultimately proved too high. After failing to serve for the championship at 5-3 in the second set, Gauff immediately recovered. She broke Pegula's serve to love in the following game before serving out the match.
A significant boost before the US Open
The Cincinnati title comes at an important point in Gauff's season, with the US Open now approaching. Rather than viewing the victory as a guarantee of what will happen in New York, Gauff appears focused on carrying the lessons from Cincinnati into the Grand Slam.
Her title run also provides evidence of a player who has responded strongly to the frustrations she experienced last season.
From questioning whether her level was declining in 2025 to becoming a multiple-time Cincinnati champion, Gauff has once again demonstrated her ability to respond to setbacks.
For Pegula, the defeat ends an impressive tournament run that included her semifinal victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek. But the championship ultimately belonged to Gauff, who once again leaves Cincinnati as one of the leading contenders heading into the US Open.
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