‘Amazing momentum’ – Coco Gauff seals Cincinnati title ahead of US Open
World No. 4 defeats fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to claim first title of 2026
Coco Gauff believes her dominant Cincinnati title triumph has given her valuable momentum heading into the US Open.
The world No. 4 defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 in the WTA 1000 final to claim her first title of 2026. The victory also marked Gauff’s first WTA title since winning in Wuhan last October, having finished runner-up in Miami and Rome earlier this year.
Gauff’s win over world No. 3 Pegula secured her second Cincinnati title. She first lifted the trophy in 2023 before going on to win her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open later that year.
The all-American final was the first in Cincinnati since Rosie Casals defeated Nancy Richey in 1970, but it proved to be a one-sided contest as Gauff controlled the match from the outset.
Gauff, however, was reluctant to view the victory as a guarantee of success in New York. Instead, she said the title had given her a timely confidence boost.
“I don’t think that this is an indicator that I’m going to do well in New York or anything like that, to be honest,” Gauff said.
“But I’m going in knowing that I can figure out these matches, even if I’m not playing my best. I’m also knowing that I can play that great tennis that I felt I was playing this week. Hopefully I can use the experience here in New York.”
The 75-minute victory capped an impressive run for Gauff and provided a stark contrast to her Cincinnati campaign last year.
Gauff suffered an early exit in 2025 after committing 16 double faults, a defeat that left her “in the parking lot in tears”. Her struggles with her serve prompted her to bring in a new coach just days before the US Open.
“It’s a big difference, what a year can make,” Gauff said.
“Last year I was just frustrated with my game, and I felt like I was declining. It’s not something any player wants to feel. You always want to feel like you’re getting better, at the worst, like just plateauing.”
Despite the defeat, Pegula was encouraged by her level heading into the final Grand Slam of the season.
“I don’t think I played bad, but you played a very high level. It was not fun to play against,” Pegula told Gauff during the trophy ceremony.
