Gauff and Pegula Set for First All-American Cincinnati Final in 56 Years

Gauff Rolls Through Bejlek, Pegula Stuns Swiatek in Dramatic Comeback

The Cincinnati Open will have its first all-American women's final since 1970 after Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula both won their semifinals on Saturday. The last time two American women contested the Rookwood Cup was when Rosie Casals defeated Nancy Richey 56 years ago, before the Open Era had even fully taken hold.

Gauff, the fourth seed and 2023 Cincinnati champion, made short work of Czech qualifier Sára Bejlek in the semifinals, winning 6-4, 6-1 in just 76 minutes. Bejlek's remarkable run through the draw — which had included a stunning third-set tiebreak win over Madison Keys in the quarterfinals — finally met its limit against a Gauff who was dominant from first to last. The American broke serve seven times, punished anything short from the Czech baseline, and was barely tested on her own serve throughout.

The second semifinal produced far more drama. Third seed Pegula defeated defending champion and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in a contest that lasted close to three hours. Pegula took the first set in a high-quality exchange, then ceded the second to Swiatek in a tightly fought battle. In the decider, things looked bleak when Pegula fell to 1-3 — but the American then won five consecutive games to close out one of the most significant wins of her career.

Pegula's 45th Win of 2026 — a Tour-Leading Total

The victory moved Pegula to 45 wins on the 2026 season, the highest total on the WTA Tour this year. It was also a result that underlined the consistency she has shown since the start of the hard-court swing: reliable serve, aggressive return, and a capacity to stay composed when opponents apply pressure late in sets. Swiatek, who defended the Cincinnati title she claimed in 2025, had been in strong form across the tournament and remained dangerous deep into Saturday's match — but could not find the answers when Pegula raised her level in the third set.

Gauff arrives in the final in equally imposing form. She has dropped only one set across the entire Cincinnati draw, and her performances have grown more convincing with each match. Her precision off both wings against Bejlek was a reminder of why she remains one of the most complete players on the WTA Tour, particularly on fast hard courts.

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10th Career Meeting, Head-to-Head Balanced at 5-4

Sunday's final will be the 10th career meeting between Gauff and Pegula, with the older American holding a slim 5-4 advantage. Their rivalry is one of the defining storylines of American women's tennis: two players who know each other's games deeply after years of encounters across Grand Slams and WTA events.

Gauff won the Cincinnati title in 2023. Pegula has reached the final here before but is still chasing a first Rookwood Cup. Both players share the same next goal on the schedule: the US Open begins Monday in New York. Gauff is the reigning champion in Flushing Meadows; Pegula reached the final there in 2024 and is seeking her first Grand Slam title.

All Roads Lead to Monday's US Open

For both finalists, Sunday is both a title opportunity in its own right and the last competitive test before the year's final major. A Cincinnati win would carry immense psychological weight heading into Flushing Meadows — either as a statement of defending form for Gauff or as confirmation of Pegula's best season to date. The final in Mason, Ohio is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, with both players aware that what follows in New York may define their entire 2026 campaign.