Tennis
In a confident and composed performance, World No. 2 Coco Gauff advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Cincinnati Open with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti. The match lasted just one hour and 19 minutes and marks Gauff’s first appearance in a tournament quarterfinal since her triumph at Roland Garros earlier this year.
Despite entering the match after a four-day layoff — the result of a walkover in the previous round due to Dayana Yastremska’s withdrawal — Gauff looked sharp and focused. Any concerns about rust were quickly dismissed as she dictated rallies, served with confidence, and maintained consistent depth throughout the match.
This victory follows an earlier straight-sets win over Wang Xinyu in the opening round, reinforcing Gauff's steady momentum as she prepares for the US Open.
The Cincinnati performance signals a welcome return to form after a somewhat turbulent stretch for Gauff. After lifting her second Grand Slam title at the 2025 French Open, she suffered an early Wimbledon exit at the hands of Yastremska and then struggled in her North American hardcourt debut, falling 6-1, 6-4 to Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko.
Yet even amid singles frustrations, Gauff found success in doubles — partnering with McCartney Kessler to capture the doubles title — a confidence boost that appears to have reinvigorated her mental game and approach.
Gauff's run to the Cincinnati quarterfinals marks her fifth quarterfinal at either the WTA 1000 or Grand Slam level in 2025. That’s an impressive feat, especially considering she's played just 10 tournaments this year. It illustrates a stark contrast in her results — she either exits early or mounts a deep run.
With no points to defend at this year’s US Open — having lost early in 2024 to Emma Navarro in back-to-back majors — Gauff enters the season’s final Slam with freedom, momentum, and home-court advantage. Her performance in Cincinnati may prove pivotal in reigniting her hardcourt dominance heading into Flushing Meadows.
Awaiting Gauff in the quarterfinals is the winner of Jasmine Paolini vs. Barbora Krejcikova — a compelling matchup that serves as a rematch of the 2024 Wimbledon final. Both opponents present different challenges: Krejcikova’s all-court savvy and Paolini’s relentless baseline consistency.
Gauff, however, seems undeterred. Speaking post-match, she shared insight into her mindset and strategy:
“For the most part I played aggressive. Maybe got a bit passive in some of those games. But it’s tough. The balls are super light and they fly. She wasn’t giving me much pace. I was trying to play with control but also aggressive. For the most part I think I did well.”
Gauff’s vastly superior second-serve performance and break point conversion were the difference-makers in the match, underscoring her maturity in key moments and tactical adaptability.
Coco Gauff's latest win is more than just another box checked on the way to a title — it's a reminder of her resilience and growth. With a measured mindset and renewed momentum, the 2025 Cincinnati Open may serve as a key launchpad for her US Open campaign. If her current trajectory continues, Gauff could find herself contending for yet another major — and doing so with a quiet confidence that bodes well for the summer hardcourt swing.
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