Coco Gauff Claims Cincinnati Open Title With 6-2, 6-4 Win Over Jessica Pegula

Coco Gauff converted five of six break points to defeat Jessica Pegula and secure her second career Cincinnati Open title on Sunday.

Coco Gauff secured her second women's Cincinnati Open title on Sunday by defeating Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4. During the championship match in Mason, Ohio, Gauff successfully converted five of six break points to overcome her fellow American opponent. The victory began with a dominant opening set where Gauff established a 5-0 lead before closing it out at 6-2. Although Pegula narrowed the deficit to 5-4 in the second set, Gauff held on to finalize the straight-sets win.

Historic All-American Final Matchup

This meeting marked the first time in 56 years that two American women competed in the Cincinnati Open final. The last occurrence of an all-American women's title match at this tournament took place in 1970, a contest where Rosie Casals defeated Nancy Richey. To reach this historic Sunday showdown, Gauff defeated Sara Bejlek in Saturday's semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Pegula advanced by beating the defending champion, Iga Swiatek, during her semifinal round.

Sunday's result brings the head-to-head series between Gauff and Pegula to a 5-5 tie. This was only the second time the pair had met in a tournament final, following their previous championship clash in Wuhan last year, which Gauff also won. The loss for Pegula follows her 2024 performance in Cincinnati, where she reached the final but fell to Aryna Sabalenka.

Gauff Reflects on Career Progression

Following the match, Gauff noted the emotional contrast between this victory and her experience at the venue one year prior, mentioning she had been in the parking lot in tears during a previous difficult period. She credited her faith for helping her through those times. Gauff previously won the Cincinnati title in 2023 by defeating Karolina Muchova, a victory that preceded her first Grand Slam title at the US Open.

During the trophy presentation, Gauff addressed Pegula directly, describing her as an incredible person and player. Gauff recalled that when she first joined the professional tour, Pegula was one of the few players who treated her with kindness, a gesture that left a lasting impression on Gauff and her family. She further characterized Pegula’s support staff as one of the best teams currently on the tour.

Looking Ahead to New York

Pegula acknowledged the challenge Gauff presents moving forward into the next major tournament. She observed that a confident and dangerous Gauff would be a difficult opponent to face in New York. The victory reinforces Gauff's history of success at this event, mirroring the momentum she built before her previous championship run in the United States' premier Grand Slam event.

The match concluded at approximately 8:52 PM ET on August 23, 2026. This championship win adds another trophy to Gauff's resume at the Cincinnati Open, further solidifying her standing in the rivalry with Pegula. While Pegula battled back late in the second set to reach 4-5, she was unable to force a third set against the former champion. Gauff expressed that it was an honor to share the court with Pegula once again, emphasizing the deep respect she holds for her compatriot's career and character.