MASON, Ohio — Coco Gauff defeated fellow American tennis player Jessica Pegula, 6-2, 6-4, to capture her second Cincinnati Open women’s singles title Sunday, and France’s Arthur Fils defeated Frances Tiafoe of the United States, 6-3, 1-6, 6-0, in the men’s final for his first Masters 1000 title.
In Saturday’s semifinals, Pegula beat 2025 champion Iga Swiatek and Gauff defeated Sara Bejlek to set up the first all-American women’s final at the Cincinnati Open in 56 years. Until Sunday, the last time two American women played in the Cincinnati final was in 1970, when Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey.
Pegula matched her best finish in Cincinnati, having also lost the 2024 final to Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff, who won the 2023 title by beating Karolina Muchova, stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the first set. Pegula battled back to within 5-4 in the second set before Gauff closed out the win.
Gauff won five of six break points in her last match before moving on to the year’s final Grand Slam tournament. Main-draw play for singles at the U.S. Open begins next Sunday, Aug. 30, on the hard courts of New York.
“I think it was a long journey, but I’m happy,” said the 2023 U.S. Open champion. “I think it’s night and day, the player I was last year to now. I don’t think that this is an indicator that I’m going to do well in New York. Just knowing the quality ones that I had this week, hopefully I can use that experience.”