Cincinnati: World number three Jessica Pegula has rallied in a dramatic three-set battle to defeat defending champion Iga Swiatek and book an all-American final against Coco Gauff at the Cincinnati Masters.
Pegula overcame Swiatek 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 after nearly three hours of play in difficult and windy conditions. The match featured a series of breaks and momentum shifts before Pegula secured the decisive break in the final set.
Swiatek, who claimed her first title of 2026 in Toronto last week, pushed Pegula throughout the contest. However, the American held her nerve late in the deciding set, breaking Swiatek after the Polish star saved three match points before double-faulting on the fourth.
Pegula then served out the match with a service winner to reach the Cincinnati final. “Crazy match today,” Pegula said, describing the changing conditions and the constant momentum shifts. She added that she was pleased with how she handled the challenges throughout the match.
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Her opponent in the final will be fellow American Coco Gauff, who produced a dominant performance against unseeded Czech player Sara Bejlek. Gauff defeated Bejlek 6-4, 6-1 to end the 19-year-old’s impressive run in Cincinnati. Bejlek had stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round before reaching the semi-finals. The women’s final will headline an all-American night showdown.
Tiafoe reaches Men’s final
In the men’s draw, Frances Tiafoe booked his place in the final with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over fellow American Brandon Nakashima. Tiafoe, who finished runner-up to Jannik Sinner in Cincinnati in 2024, saved three set points in the opening set and broke Nakashima five times during the match.
Tiafoe will face France’s Arthur Fils in the final after the 21-year-old defeated seventh-seeded Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-4.
Fils’ semi-final was delayed by rain and lightning for 45 minutes, adding to the challenging conditions at the tournament. His victory earned him his first Masters 1000 final and made him the youngest French player to reach a Masters final since Richard Gasquet achieved the feat in Toronto two decades ago.
Fils admitted the weather interruption made the match more difficult but said he was pleased with how he adapted after returning to the court. The Cincinnati finals will therefore feature an American showdown in the women’s competition, while Tiafoe and Fils will battle for the men’s title.
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