Jessica Pegula - players.bio

Gauff powers past Pegula to win Cincinnati WTA 1000 crown

CINCINNATI: Coco Gauff made a statement with the US Open approaching, dominating Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to win her first title of 2026 at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati. World number four Gauff claimed her first WTA title since last October in Wuhan, having come up short in finals in Miami and Rome this year. Her victory over third-ranked Pegula gave her a second Cincinnati crown. Gauff earned her first in 2023, going on to claim the first of her two Grand Slam titles at the US Open that year. It was the first all-American WTA final in Cincinnati since Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey 1970. Gauff polished off an impressive tournament with a victory in 75 minutes and will head to New York on riding a wave of confidence for the start of the US Open next Sunday. Pegula, coming off a hard-fought win over defending champion Iga Swiatek, had no answer for Gauff’s speed and aggression. Gauff broke Pegula twice for a 4-0 lead and was up 5-0 before Pegula got on the scoreboard, holding serve and clawing back a break. It was a brief reprieve as Gauff broke again to pocket the opening set after 34 minutes. The second set was more of the same, Gauff breaking on the way to a 3-0 lead and Pegula playing catch-up. Gauff polished off the victory on her first match point to conclude 12 days of tennis at the sprawling Midwest venue. Gauff’s win squared the career series between the two at five wins each.

Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff to meet in first all-American Cincinnati women’s final in 56 years

MASON, Ohio: Jessica Pegula beat defending champion Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff defeated Sara Bejlek on Saturday to set up the first all-American women’s final at the Cincinnati Open in 56 years. Pegula rallied from down a break in the third set to get past Swiatek, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, for her tour-leading 45th win this year. It was the 300th tour-level victory of Pegula’s career, and it snapped Swiatek’s 10-match winning streak. Pegula’s best finish in Cincinnati came in 2024, when she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Gauff, the 2023 champion, beat Bejlek, 6-4, 6-1. The 20-year-old Czech upset top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys en route to the semis. The last time two American women played in the Cincinnati final was in 1970, when Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey. “I’m always rooting for American tennis,” Pegula said. “I like to play someone that I get along with and have a lot of respect for, like Coco. I didn’t realize it was so long since we’ve had a double American final. The crowd can just go out there and enjoy the match.”

Pegula to meet Gauff in all-American Cincinnati final, Tiafoe faces Fils

CINCINNATI, Aug 22 : Jessica Pegula saw off defending champion Iga Swiatek to set up an all-American Cincinnati Open women's final against Coco Gauff, while compatriot Frances Tiafoe will take on Frenchman Arthur Fils in the men's final.

Pegula dethrones Swiatek, sets up Cincinnati final vs. Gauff

CINCINNATI, Ohio: Jessica Pegula rallied from a break down in the deciding set to topple defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-5 4-6 6-4 and reach the Cincinnati Open final on Saturday, while Arthur Fils beat Flavio Cobolli 6-3 6-4 in the Men’s semifinals. World number three Pegula and seventh seed Swiatek traded breaks early in the opening set before rain briefly interrupted play with the score level at 1-1. Pegula returned with purpose, breaking for a 3-2 lead and following it with a love hold for 4-2. Swiatek clawed back, breaking to level at 4-4 before moving ahead. ‌But with the ‌set locked at 5-5, Pegula capitalized on a ‌Swiatek ⁠double fault to ⁠break for 6-5 before the Pole missed a return and sent an overhead smash into the net to hand Pegula the opener. In the second set Swiatek was more aggressive, breaking in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Pegula broke back and managed to level the contest, but the former world number one sealed the set ⁠in the 10th game when Pegula missed a ‌forehand return. Pegula refused to fade ‌after Swiatek moved 3-1 ahead in the decider. The American levelled at 4-4, ‌earned the decisive break in the next game and served ‌out victory after two hours and 47 minutes. “It was a really tough match. She (Swiatek) is in great form. To beat someone who is such a great athlete like Iga in the semis and to make it to another ‌1000 final, it’s awesome,” Pegula said. Pegula will face on Sunday fourth-ranked Coco Gauff, who defeated unseeded Czech Sara Bejlek, 6-2 6-2, in the other semifinal match. Bejlek, 20, went into their Saturday night semifinal seeking another big upset, having knocked off world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round.

Pegula rallies past defending champion Swiatek as Fils reaches Cincinnati final

CINCINNATI, Aug 22 : Jessica Pegula rallied from a break down in the deciding set to topple defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-5 4-6 6-4 and reach the Cincinnati Open final on Saturday, while Arthur Fils beat Flavio Cobolli 6-3 6-4.

Serena Williams teams up with Alcaraz in US Open mixed doubles

Aug 22 : Serena Williams will make her competitive return to the U.S. Open alongside defending men's singles champion Carlos Alcaraz after the pair received a wildcard for the mixed doubles event, tournament organisers said on Saturday.

Swiatek into Cincinnati semis after Rybakina injury

CINCINNATI, Ohio: Iga Swiatek moved into the semifinals of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters as Elena Rybakina was forced to retire with a heel injury less than half an hour into their clash Thursday. Rybakina’s withdrawal raised concerns over the fitness of the world number two Kazakh just 10 days before the start of the US Open. Trailing 4-1 in the opening set of Thursday’s Cincinnati quarter-final, Rybakina suddenly pulled up short at 40-all, heading to her bench and consulting with the trainer. She went back out and played one more point before quitting. “I was feeling anxious watching the whole situation,” said her opponent Swiatek. “I hope she will be fine. Health is always the priority.” “This is an important tournament, but the US Open is the US Open. I hope she is ready for that,” she said, referring to the major which begins in New York on August 30. “It was a shame she was injured, we were having a good match.” Had two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina reached the Cincinnati final she would have risen to number one in the world for the first time in her career, following incumbent Aryna Sabalenka’s shock exit to 20-year-old Sara Bejlek. Defending Cincinnati champion Swiatek said she had “gained a lot of confidence in the last weeks,” which have also included her victory over Rybakina in the final of this month’s Toronto event. “I feel great, ready to play my game... I’m happy to be playing the tennis that I am.”

Pegula sets up Swiatek showdown, M&M's help Cobolli move on

Aug 20 : World number three Jessica Pegula survived a stirring fightback from Amanda Anisimova to win 6-4 2-6 7-6(4) and reach the Cincinnati Open semi-finals on Thursday, while Iga Swiatek also advanced when Elena Rybakina retired injured.

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Jessica Pegula Sport News

Gauff powers past Pegula to win Cincinnati WTA 1000 crown

Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff to meet in first all-American Cincinnati women’s final in 56 years

Pegula to meet Gauff in all-American Cincinnati final, Tiafoe faces Fils

Pegula dethrones Swiatek, sets up Cincinnati final vs. Gauff

Pegula rallies past defending champion Swiatek as Fils reaches Cincinnati final

Serena Williams teams up with Alcaraz in US Open mixed doubles

Swiatek into Cincinnati semis after Rybakina injury

Pegula sets up Swiatek showdown, M&M's help Cobolli move on