World number four Gauff claimed her first WTA title since last October in Wuhan, having come up short in finals in Miami and Rome this year. Her victory over third-ranked Pegula gave her a second Cincinnati crown. Coco Gauff made a statement Sunday with the US Open approaching, dominating Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to win her first title of 2026 at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati. Gauff earned her first in 2023, going on to claim the first of her two Grand Slam titles at the US Open that year.
Gauff won her second match this season against Pegula after defeating her compatriot in a Wimbledon quarter-final. Gauff’s win squared the career series between the two at five wins each. Gauff polished off an impressive tournament with a victory in 75 minutes and will head to New York riding a wave of confidence for the start of the US Open next Sunday. Gauff polished off the victory on her first match point to conclude 12 days of tennis at the sprawling Midwest venue.
It’s a far cry from an early exit in Cincinnati last year, which Gauff said left her “in the parking lot in tears” after she coughed up 16 double-faults in defeat. “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.
