Coco Gauff Advances in Cincinnati Open
Coco Gauff has advanced to the fourth round of the 2025 Cincinnati Open, benefiting from a fortunate withdrawal from her upcoming opponent. After experiencing a tumultuous few months that included her triumph at the French Open followed by disappointing early exits on grass, Gauff faced off against Xinyu Wang in the second round of the Cincinnati tournament, where she secured a convincing victory with a score of 6-3, 6-2.
Withdrawal of Yastremska
Despite her earlier struggles, which included losses to Wang and Dayana Yastremska on grass, Gauff now had a chance to avenge those defeats. However, her anticipated clash against Yastremska did not materialize, as the Ukrainian player withdrew due to illness. It appears that Yastremska is opting to prioritize her health ahead of the upcoming US Open, although she still plans to compete in the Cleveland tournament.
This withdrawal echoes a similar situation for Gauff, whose third-round opponent in Montreal also withdrew before their match, creating parallels in their respective tournaments. In Cincinnati, Gauff will now wait to see who she faces next, with the winner of the match between Jelena Ostapenko and Lucia Bronzetti up next for her.
Gauff’s Reflections
Reflecting on her initial match in Cincinnati, Gauff expressed contentment about her performance against Wang. In an interview with Tennis Channel, she stated,
“I had a shaky start with the serve, but I was able to push through and figure that out… I felt good off the ground all week, playing in practice, so I’m glad I had a chance today.”
As she prepares for her upcoming match, Gauff may have a mixed outlook. While her lack of recent competitive play could pose a challenge, it has also provided her with rest, which she hopes will benefit her in the later rounds. Gauff noted that this break has allowed her to focus on honing her skills, emphasizing the importance of balancing the demands of competition with personal time to recharge and rediscover her game after a rigorous schedule in Europe.
Looking Ahead
Gauff’s track record includes reaching the fourth round in the preceding Montreal tournament, where she fell to the promising 18-year-old Victoria Mboko, who went on to claim the title. As she moves forward in Cincinnati, Gauff’s next matches will further define her readiness as she gears up for the rest of the tournament and the upcoming Grand Slams.
