Gauff Crushes Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 to Book Cincinnati Semi-Final

Coco Gauff moved into the Cincinnati Open semi-finals with a ruthless 6-2, 6-2 victory over Marta Kostyuk on Friday at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. The 2023 US Open champion was in full control throughout the 70-minute encounter and will now face Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek in Saturday's last four at the Cincinnati Open.

Gauff Sets the Tone from the Start

Gauff came out at an intensity Kostyuk could not match. An early break of serve was followed by a series of clean, penetrating groundstrokes that pinned the Ukrainian deep and denied her any opportunity to construct points on her own terms. The American's ball-striking was crisp from the baseline, and her ability to redirect pace made it nearly impossible for Kostyuk to find angles or create any attacking threat.

The Ukrainian, who had beaten opponents of note to reach the last eight in Cincinnati, rarely approached the level required to threaten the American. Gauff's game — built on relentless pressure and high-percentage hitting — was functioning close to its ceiling, and the 6-2, 6-2 scoreline was a fair reflection of the gap between the two players on the day.

The win places Gauff firmly in contention for a Cincinnati title, and the timing could hardly be better: the US Open begins at Flushing Meadows in a matter of days. Arriving in New York on the back of a Masters final — or better — would represent a significant confidence boost before the year's last Grand Slam.

Bejlek's Fairytale Run Continues

Standing between Gauff and a Cincinnati final is Bejlek, a player who has made this tournament entirely her own. The Czech, who entered the week ranked well outside the world's top 50, eliminated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16 before recovering from a set down to edge former champion Madison Keys 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in Thursday's quarterfinals.

WTAOstapenko overpowers Shnaider to reach Wuhan semi-finals

Bejlek has played throughout the week with the freedom of a player with nothing to lose, producing attacking tennis that has unsettled more fancied opponents at every turn. Her ability to stay aggressive under pressure was on full display against Keys, and Gauff will need to be at her best to prevent a repeat. The pair have met previously on Tour, with Gauff winning on each occasion, though those records mean little against a player in this kind of form.

Swiatek and Pegula Complete the Semi-Final Draw

On the other half of the WTA draw, world number three Iga Swiatek will face American Jessica Pegula. Swiatek reached the last four after Elena Rybakina retired with an ankle injury during their quarterfinal, while Pegula progressed in three hard-fought sets over Amanda Anisimova, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6.

Swiatek leads their head-to-head series and enters the match as the favourite, but Pegula's consistency on home hard courts gives the matchup genuine unpredictability. Both women's semi-finals are set for Saturday at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, with both players in that draw focused on one thing: using Cincinnati as the perfect launchpad for New York.