Coco Gauff defeated Karolina Muchova 6-3 6-4 to claim the title of the Cincinnati Open on Sunday, extending her superb run of accomplishments on North American hard courts ahead of the US Open.
In her first WTA 1000 final appearance, the American youngster, seeded seventh, broke the Czech three times in the opening set and easily served out the opener to love.
On a hot day in Ohio, Muchova was too unforced, making 35 unforced errors and poorly missing a backhand down the line to give Gauff the break and a 3-2 second-set lead.
Gauff struggled to get over the finish line, failing to convert three match point opportunities while serving at 5-2 due to some tentative groundstrokes.
But she didn’t waste her second chances, as Muchova’s return landed wide, leaving Gauff to jump up and down in jubilation.
Despite the setback, Muchova, who was ranked 235 in the world a year ago due to injuries, will join the world’s top 10 for the first time.
Gauff, who improved her record to 11-1 since losing in the first round of Wimbledon last month, appears to be a serious threat when she comes to New York for the year’s final major, which goes from August 28 to September 10.