Coco Gauff Cruises Past Pegula to Win Cincinnati Title

Coco Gauff has won her first title of 2026 after defeating fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 in the Cincinnati Open final.

The 22-year-old completed the victory in 75 minutes to claim the Cincinnati title for the second time in her career. She previously won the tournament in 2023 before going on to capture her first Grand Slam title at the US Open later that year.

Gauff made a flying start to the final, racing into a 5-0 lead before Pegula got on the scoreboard. Pegula managed to break back, but Gauff remained firmly in control and closed out the opening set 6-2 after 34 minutes.

The second set followed a similar pattern. Gauff secured an early break and moved 3-0 ahead, putting immediate pressure on her compatriot. Pegula stayed competitive for longer than she had in the opening set, but Gauff eventually completed the victory without dropping a set.

The Cincinnati title marks Gauff’s first tournament victory since October, when she triumphed in Wuhan. It also represents a major improvement on her performance in Cincinnati last year.

Reflecting on the difference between the two campaigns, Gauff said, “It’s a big difference, what a year can make.”

The victory gives Gauff valuable confidence ahead of the US Open, where she will hope to repeat the success she enjoyed in 2023.

Pegula had also produced an impressive run to the final. She defeated Iga Swiatek in the semi-final to earn her place in the championship match, but found Gauff operating at a level she could not match.

Speaking during the trophy ceremony, Pegula said, “I don’t think I played bad but you played a very high level, it was not fun to play against,” she told Gauff during the trophy ceremony.

“You have amazing momentum heading into the US Open.”

Gauff’s Cincinnati title provides the perfect boost before the final Grand Slam of the season. After a convincing performance against Pegula, she will now turn her attention to New York with renewed confidence and momentum.

Can Gauff turn her Cincinnati success into another memorable US Open campaign?