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Coco Gauff powered past third seed Jessica Pegula in the final of the Cincinnati Open to win her first title of 2026 and make a statement before the US Open.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 22-year-old American needed only an hour and 14 minutes to defeat compatriot Pegula 6-2 6-4 as she became just the third two-time champion of the WTA 1000 event, joining Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.<\/p>\n
When Gauff won the Cincinnati trophy in 2023, she went on to win her first Grand Slam title at the the US Open three weeks later.<\/p>\n
By claiming her first WTA title since winning in Wuhan last October, the two-time major winner has reinstated herself as one of the favourites at Flushing Meadows.<\/p>\n
“I think with each match, I was feeling more and more confident in trusting the work that I put in and the practice – knowing that I can figure out these matches,” said world number four Gauff, who dropped just one set in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be tough in New York, but just knowing the quality wins that I had this week, knowing that I’m able to figure it out even if I’m not playing my best, but also knowing that I can play that great tennis that I felt like I was playing this week.”<\/p>\n
Qualifying for the US Open started on Sunday, while the main draw begins on Sunday, 30 August.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n