Coco Gauff secured her first title of the season and fourth WTA 1000, a significant turnaround one year after critical adjustments to her serve and team.

American tennis sensation Coco Gauff triumphed at the Cincinnati Open, defeating compatriot and third seed Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 in a dominant performance. This victory marks a significant milestone for Gauff, securing her first title of the season and her fourth career WTA 1000 championship.

The win carries particular weight as it arrives precisely one year after Gauff faced a critical juncture in her career. Following a disappointing exit from the Cincinnati tournament last season, she made the difficult decision to implement drastic changes to her coaching team and serving mechanics, feeling her game was in decline.

Now, as she prepares for the upcoming US Open, Gauff is clearly reaping the rewards of her resilience and hard work. Her seamless progression through the Cincinnati draw, culminating in her best performance of the season, signals a profound transformation in her confidence and on-court execution, according to reporting by The Guardian - Tennis.

A Year of Pivotal Decisions and Resilience

Just a year ago, Gauff departed the Cincinnati Open in a very different state, grappling with severe service issues characterized by numerous double faults and a significant dip in confidence. This challenging period prompted her to believe that sweeping changes to her support staff were essential to revive her career.

The turning point arrived after a quarter-final loss at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, where she tallied 16 double faults and 62 unforced errors. This defeat spurred Gauff to hire biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to completely overhaul her serve. This difficult transformation began right before the US Open last year, a decision Gauff acknowledges most players might avoid.

"I think it was a long journey, but I'm happy," Gauff shared. "I think last year I was just frustrated with my game, and I felt like I was declining, and it’s not something any player wants to feel. You always want to feel like you’re getting better." She added, "I made sudden decisions that most people probably wouldn’t do before a slam, but I think it’s worth it. And obviously, I feel like it’s night and day, the player I am from last year to now."

The process wasn't easy, marked by immense scrutiny and even tears on court during a second-round match at the US Open. However, Gauff has finally found confidence with her new serve, which has profoundly impacted her entire game.

Dominant Run to the Cincinnati Title

Known for her grit in dramatic, three-set battles, Gauff’s performance in Cincinnati was strikingly smooth. After dropping her opening set to Liudmila Samsonova in the tournament, the fourth seed swept her next 10 sets en route to the final, showcasing a newfound ease on court.

This efficiency was a conscious effort, as Gauff admitted. "A lot of my supporters are like, ‘I can’t take these three set wins’ and my mom’s showing her heart rate going up and down," she explained, laughing. "So hopefully I gave my team a little bit of a break this week. Can’t say the same for New York. It’s a grand slam, but I definitely was thinking about it. I was like, for the sake of my own mind and body, I was trying to get these done in two sets."

The Cincinnati Open marked Gauff’s fifth WTA 1000 semi-final and third final appearance of the season, highlighting a consistent past five months on tour. However, it was her first tournament victory of the year, underscoring the significance of this particular triumph.

Unleashing a Transformed Game

The transformation in Gauff's game was evident in the final. Instead of managing her serve, she now attacks it with freedom, consistently hitting first serves above 120mph. This newfound aggression allowed her to confidently step inside the baseline whenever Jessica Pegula hit a short ball.

Gauff's unparalleled defensive skills also proved a major headache for Pegula throughout the match. Her opponent acknowledged the challenge, stating, "It’s just so hard when you play somebody that moves... I mean, she’s the best mover on tour, I think by far."

Pegula further elaborated on Gauff’s strengths: "Just the way that she’s able to defend out of the corners is better than anybody else, and that’s truly her strength. So when she’s doing that and able to move forward and able to serve well and return well, it becomes very difficult."

With her serve now a weapon and her defensive prowess as strong as ever, Gauff appears poised for a deep run at the upcoming US Open, confident in the decisions that led to her remarkable turnaround.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coco Gauff's latest title?

Coco Gauff recently won the Cincinnati Open (Western & Southern Open), defeating Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 in the final. This marks her first title of the 2023 season.

How many WTA 1000 titles has Coco Gauff won?

The Cincinnati Open victory is Coco Gauff's fourth career WTA 1000 title. These prestigious tournaments are a tier below the four Grand Slams in professional tennis.

What changes did Coco Gauff make to her game?

Coco Gauff made significant changes to her coaching team and, most notably, completely reshaped her serve by hiring biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan. These drastic decisions were made a year ago after struggles with confidence and double faults.

Is Coco Gauff ready for the US Open?

Following her dominant performance and title win at the Cincinnati Open, Coco Gauff appears to be in excellent form and full of confidence heading into the US Open. Her transformed serve and overall game suggest she is well-prepared for the final Grand Slam of the year.