Coco Gauff has strengthened her preparations for the US Open by claiming the Cincinnati WTA 1000 title, defeating fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday.

The world number four secured her first title of 2026 and a second Cincinnati crown, having previously won the tournament in 2023 before going on to lift her maiden US Open Grand Slam title.

Gauff’s victory over world number three Pegula marked the first all-American women’s final in Cincinnati since 1970, and ended her wait for a title after losing finals in Miami and Rome earlier this year.

“I don’t think that this is an indicator that I’m going to do well in New York or anything like that to be honest,” Gauff said, but added: “(I’m going in) knowing that I can figure out these matches (even if) I’m not playing my best, but also knowing that I can play that great tennis that I felt I was playing this week.

“Hopefully I can use the experience here in New York.”

The 75-minute victory gives Gauff a timely confidence boost ahead of the US Open, which begins next Sunday.

Reflecting on her difficult Cincinnati campaign last year, when she exited early after 16 double faults, Gauff said: “It’s a big difference, what a year can make,”

“Last year I was just frustrated with my game, and I felt like I was declining,” she said. “It’s not something any player wants to feel. You always want to feel like you’re getting better, at the worst, like just plateauing.”