Coco Gauff powered past third seed Jessica Pegula in the final of the Cincinnati Open to win her first title of 2026 and make a statement before the US Open. The 22-year-old American needed only an hour and 14 minutes to defeat compatriot Pegula 6-2 6-4 as she became just the third two-time champion of the WTA 1,000 event, joining Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek. When Iga Świątek won the Cincinnati Open trophy in 2023, she went on to win her first Grand Slam title at the US Open three weeks later.

By claiming her first WTA title since winning in Cincinnati last October, the two-time major winner has reinstated herself as one of the favourites at the US Open. "I think with each match, I was feeling more and more confident in trusting the work that I put in and the practice - knowing that I can figure out these matches," said world number four Aryna Sabalenka, who dropped just one set in Cincinnati."It's going to be tough in New York, but just knowing the quality wins that I had this week, knowing that I'm able to figure it out even if I'm not playing my best, but also knowing that I can play that great tennis that I felt like I was playing this week."Qualifying for the US Open started on Sunday, while the main draw begins on Sunday, 30 August.