MASON, Ohio – American tennis star Coco Gauff has won the Cincinnati Open for the second time after defeating compatriot Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 in Sunday’s final.
The victory gives Gauff her first singles title of 2026 and provides a major confidence boost ahead of the US Open, which begins in New York on August 30.
The Cincinnati final was particularly significant because it was the tournament’s first all-American women’s singles final in 56 years. The previous such final took place in 1970, when Rosie Casals defeated Nancy Richey.
Gauff entered the championship match as the fourth seed, while Pegula was seeded third. Both Americans had produced impressive performances earlier in the tournament to reach the final.
Gauff Makes Fast Start
Gauff immediately took control of the final, racing into a 5-0 lead in the opening set.
Her aggressive forehand play put Pegula under considerable pressure, while double faults also contributed to the early deficit for the third seed.
Pegula managed to break Gauff when she was serving for the set at 5-2, but the comeback was short-lived. Gauff quickly regained control and closed out the opening set 6-2.
The second set followed a similar pattern.
Gauff broke Pegula early and established a 3-0 advantage, putting herself in a strong position to complete the victory.
Pegula refused to surrender, however, and gradually worked her way back into the contest. She eventually broke Gauff to reduce the deficit to 5-4.
The pressure returned to Pegula’s side of the court in the following game. Gauff responded with another break, closing out the match 6-4 and securing the Cincinnati trophy.
Gauff Joins Elite Cincinnati Club
The triumph marks Gauff’s 12th career singles title and her second Cincinnati championship, having previously won the tournament in 2023.
The 22-year-old now joins an exclusive group of women who have won the Cincinnati title more than once during the Open Era.
Only Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka had previously achieved the feat.
The timing of Gauff’s victory is also significant.
Her 2026 season had gone without a title before Cincinnati, but the American delivered a commanding performance when it mattered most.
The victory could provide valuable momentum as she prepares to return to Flushing Meadows, where she won her first Grand Slam title in 2023.
Pegula’s Strong Run Ends in Final
For Pegula, the defeat brought an end to an impressive Cincinnati campaign.
The world No. 3 had defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in the semifinals to reach the championship match. That victory was Pegula’s 45th match win of the season and the 300th singles victory of her career.
Despite losing the final, Pegula enters the US Open with evidence that she can compete against the world’s leading players.
For Gauff, however, Cincinnati could prove to be the breakthrough she needed.
With her first title of the season secured and the US Open only days away, the American will arrive in New York with renewed confidence and the opportunity to challenge for another Grand Slam crown.
