Coco Gauff looked like the tried-and-true veteran that she is as she dismantled 20-year-old first-time WTA 1000 semifinalist Sara Bejlek on Saturday in Cincinnati, 6-4, 6-1, to set an all-American final on the women’s side.
Hard to believe that the two-time major champion is still only 22.
“Sara’s an incredible player, an incredible athlete,” Gauff said of her opponent after converting six of seven break points and earning a trip to her second Cincinnati final. “She comes out and has a lot of fire to her, and she’s had a great week here in Cincinnati, and she’s definitely a player to look out for.”
Gauff, who won the Cincinnati title in 2023, then went on to win her maiden major title at the US Open, is into her eighth WTA 1000 final. She will bid for her 12th WTA title on Sunday.
“Today, I just was focused on my game plan,” she said. “I tried not to take my foot off the gas, because I knew at any moment she could come back.”
SOARING INTO THE FINAL
@CocoGauff secures her spot in the Cincinnati final after defeating Bejlek in straight sets 6-4, 6-1.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/xUEODj4sWC
— wta (@WTA) August 23, 2026
Pegula took out defending champion Iga Swiatek earlier on Saturday, reaching the final for the second time in three years in Ohio. She will bid for her fifth WTA 1000 title, and 12th title overall.
Gauff is 4-5 lifetime against Pegula but she has won three of the pair’s last four, including a three-set win over Pegula in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
“Three Americans in the finals tomorrow,” Gauff said, alluding to the fact that Frances Tiafoe also reached the final on the men’s side. “How cool is that? I think American tennis is in great hands. We have a lot of great guys and girls.”
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Grammar suggestion ignored for just was focused