Gauff Beats Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to Win Second Cincinnati Title

Gauff Shuts Down Pegula in Historic All-American Final

Coco Gauff won her second Cincinnati Open title on Sunday with a dominant 6-2, 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula, completing the first all-American women's final at the Western & Southern Open in 56 years. The match lasted just 74 minutes, a reflection of Gauff's total command from the first point to the last.

Gauff broke Pegula's serve in the opening game and never gave her compatriot a realistic foothold. She won the first set 6-2 without conceding a break point, then converted an early break in the second before serving out at 6-4. The final scoreline — 74 of 128 points to Gauff — barely captures how comprehensively she controlled play throughout.

Pegula had arrived at the final in strong form after eliminating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in three sets in the semifinals — 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 — a result that had made her a genuine final-day threat. But Gauff's level on Sunday allowed no openings. Pegula, who has won the Cincinnati title twice and reached four finals here, still takes real confidence away from the week.

A Flawless Run Through the Draw

Gauff did not drop a single set throughout the entire tournament. Her semifinal win over Sara Bejlek — 6-4, 6-1 — was equally one-sided, and the pattern held all the way to the trophy presentation. Her game plan across the week was consistent: aggressive baseline hitting, early control of the rally, and precise net approaches at the right moments to prevent opponents from resetting.

The head-to-head between the two had been 5-4 in Pegula's favor entering the week, but Gauff has now won their last two meetings in 2026 — including the Wimbledon quarterfinals — and leads their record in finals. Both hold each other in the highest regard and embraced warmly at the net before Gauff collected the trophy.

US Open Begins With Gauff in Pristine Form

The timing of the Cincinnati win could not be better. The US Open begins this week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on the same hardcourt surface — and Gauff arrives with a title, zero sets dropped, and full momentum. She won the US Open in 2023 and returns this year as a leading title contender.

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The draw is expected to be released later this week. Aryna Sabalenka is projected as the top seed with Swiatek seeded behind her. On the men's side, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open with a knee injury — news that reshuffles the entire tournament picture. For the women, Gauff's week in Cincinnati makes her the defining favorite heading into Flushing Meadows.

Prize Money and What Comes Next

Gauff collected $1,085,200 in prize money for the title. With four WTA 1000 crowns now to her name, the 22-year-old has fully established herself among the elite of the women's game. No player in the Cincinnati draw this week went through with less resistance or more authority.

Pegula gains ranking points for her runner-up finish and will be seeded in the top eight in New York. Both players now turn their attention to Flushing Meadows — and for Gauff, the first Grand Slam since her Cincinnati title arrives as an opportunity, not a step into the unknown. Seven sets played in Cincinnati, seven sets won: the US Open could not begin at a better moment for her.