Coco Gauff reminded every player on the WTA Tour and every tennis fan just what she is capable of against Jessica Pegula in the final of the 2026 Cincinnati Open. Pegula and Gauff know each other well, of course, but Pegula also understood that Gauff playing in top form was going to be difficult to defeat.
What Pegula had to hope for was that Gauff would dip in form after Gauff started well in the first set. Pegula doesn't give up easily, of course, and matches have to be taken from her. Gauff can do that kind of taking.
At her best, Gauff is arguably the best player on the WTA Tour. Her defense is elite, and her struggles sometimes come when she is serving. She often gives away points with double faults, and if she can limit those mistakes, points don't come easily for her opponent.
Coco Gauff defeats Jessica Pegula in the final of the Cincinnati Open
Pegula, like everybody that Gauff faces, knew that she would probably have to hit two or more shots to win a point than she might otherwise do. The issue was that Gauff was ending points earlier than expected. Pegula was constantly on the defensive, which is no player's strength.
Gauff, the WTA No. 4 who has ranked as high as No. 2, took the opening set 6-2. She only had one double fault, and she wasn't committing too many unforced errors. If she continued in that form, Pegula had no chance, and likely no other player would have either.
Pegula wasn't playing poorly, but as successful as she has been, she doesn't have any skill that is elite and can change the course of a match, other than her ability to never give up. Gauff doesn't give in easily, however. Pegula is solid in all aspects, but Gauff's defense and power can overwhelm most players.
In set two, Gauff continued her steadiness, not allowing Pegula to gain any traction, and the WTA No. 4 wasn't beating herself. Unless fortunes changed, Gauff was going to win her second Cincinnati Open, with her first victory coming in 2023. So far in 2026, Gauff hadn't won a WTA 1000 or a Grand Slam, but at least she was trending up ahead of the US Open, which starts on August 30.
Pegula wasn't going away quickly, though. With Gauff trying to serve out the match and tournament, Pegula got a break to get back to 4-5 and on serve. The happiness wouldn't last long. Coco Gauff got the break right back at love to take the second set 6-4, and the Cincinnati Open along with it.
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