Coco Gauff powered past third seed Jessica Pegula in the final of the Cincinnati Open to win her first title of 2026 and make a statement before the US Open.

The 22-year-old American needed only an hour and 14 minutes to defeat compatriot Pegula 6-2 6-4 as she became just the third two-time champion of the WTA 1,000 event, joining Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.

When Gauff won the Cincinnati trophy in 2023, she went on to win her first Grand Slam title at the the US Open three weeks later.

By claiming her first WTA title since winning in Wuhan last October, the two-time major winner has reinstated herself as one of the favourites at Flushing Meadows.

“I think with each match, I was feeling more and more confident in trusting the work that I put in and the practice – knowing that I can figure out these matches,” said world number four Gauff, who dropped just one set in Cincinnati.

“It’s going to be tough in New York, but just knowing the quality wins that I had this week, knowing that I’m able to figure it out even if I’m not playing my best, but also knowing that I can play that great tennis that I felt like I was playing this week.”

Qualifying for the US Open started on Sunday, while the main draw begins on Sunday, 30 August.

In the men’s final, Arthur Fils secured the first ATP Masters 1,000 title of his career by holding off American home hope Frances Tiafoe in a 6-3 1-6 6-0 win.

Fils, 22, has long been one of the best young players on the tour, but his career has been disrupted by a series of injuries.

However, he has now won two ATP Tour titles since returning in February after nine months on the sidelines with a stress fracture in his back.

“Wow, that feels good. That feels good,” said Fils, who rises to a career-high 11th in the world rankings.

“It’s a lot of training, a lot of things, a lot of sacrifice. Injury. To be able to win one title like this means a lot to me.”