American tennis player Coco Gauff has won her first title of the 2026 season, taking the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. In the final, she defeated her compatriot Jessica Pegula. The final results are reported by the outlet Sport RBC.UA.
Final in 75 Minutes: Gauff Leaves Pegula No Chance
The decisive match lasted just 1 hour and 15 minutes and ended with a confident two-set victory for Gauff — 6:2, 6:4. This win allowed the American to level the head-to-head record against Pegula: the series now stands at 5:5. In the photo, the champion celebrates her success on the court in front of packed stands.
Path to the Trophy: Just One Set Dropped
Throughout the tournament, Gauff played with remarkable economy: she dropped only one set to her opponents — in her opening match against Lyudmila Samsonova. In the quarterfinals, the American dealt confidently with Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk, taking both sets 6:2. Thus, Gauff continued her flawless streak against compatriots: in 2026 she has won all nine matches against American tennis players.
Historic Achievement and Season Statistics
The Cincinnati trophy is more than just another cup for the 22-year-old Gauff. She has entered the history books as the third player in the Open Era, after Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams, to win this tournament twice. In total, this is already the American's 12th title on the WTA Tour, ten of which she has won on hard courts. Among WTA 1000 events, it is her fourth gold out of eight finals played.
Context Ahead of the US Open
The Cincinnati win also carries practical significance: the tournament traditionally serves as one of the key lead-up events before the US Open. Confident form and a minimal number of dropped sets allow Gauff to approach the US Open as one of the top contenders for the trophy. As specialist outlets note, the final was also an emotional moment for the American, which she later commented on in an interview.
