In 2026, Coco Gauff is giving tennis fans nostalgic feelings of the 2023 “Summer of Coco” when she won the Mubadala DC Open, Cincinnati Open, and US Open.
Gauff defeated her friend and American compatriot Jessica Pegula in straight sets in a little over an hour in Sunday’s Cincinnati Open final.
She is arguably playing the best tennis in a year, or perhaps her career, going into the US Open.
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Everything is clicking for GauffWhat a difference a year makes as Gauff struggled mightily with her serve last year at this tournament.
The result was a shocking coaching change going into last year’s US Open.
The serve is working great, and Gauff’s athleticism has always been on point.
Jun 29, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Coco Gauff of the United States reacts during her match against Tamara Korpatsch of Germany on day one at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn ImagesGauff wins her 12th career WTA singles title. She appeared in two WTA 1000 finals this year, losing the Miami Open to Aryna Sabalenka and the Italian Open to Elina Svitolina. It is her first title this calendar year.
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A weary PegulaPegula had a busy week of taking out Top 10 players in her section of the draw including Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek.
She looked fatigued. At times her serve did not have much on it which concerned fans who saw that she called the trainer earlier in the week midmatch for an ab issue.
Pegula insisted the rest and day off before her semifinal match were necessary.
In the men’s singles final earlier in the day, Arthur Fils defeated Frances Tiafoe to win his first ATP 1000 tournament.
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