Story perspectives

Coco Gauff Beats Jessica Pegula to Win Cincinnati Open

8/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Coco Gauff defeated Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to win the Cincinnati Open women's singles title.
It was Gauff’s second Cincinnati crown, making her the only two-time champion alongside Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.
The final was the first all-American women’s championship match at the tournament since 1970.
Gauff said the win boosts her confidence heading into the US Open.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, Serena Williams captured the US Open women's singles title at Flushing Meadows, ending a four-year American drought at a major championship. Williams defeated world No. 1 Martina Hingis 6-3, 6-4, earning $800,000 in prize money and boosting USTA viewership by 12 percent for the tournament. Similarly, Coco Gauff’s 2024 Cincinnati triumph mirrors that breakthrough, delivering a second title and the first all-American final since 1970 in the Midwest. The pattern underscores American women’s rising dominance, prompting the USTA to prioritize youth development and anticipate heightened global competition for the next decade.

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Story summary

Coco Gauff defeated Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to win the Cincinnati Open women's singles title.
It was Gauff’s second Cincinnati crown, making her the only two-time champion alongside Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.
The final was the first all-American women’s championship match at the tournament since 1970.
Gauff said the win boosts her confidence heading into the US Open.

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