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.”

It was a really tough match”

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,