Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation, has stormed into the quarterfinals of the 2025 Cincinnati Open, solidifying her status as a formidable force on the WTA tour. On Thursday, August 14, the No. 2 seed delivered a masterclass performance, defeating Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 6-4 in the Round of 16 to secure her 19th WTA 1000 quarterfinal appearance before turning 22—a record that surpasses the legendary Serena Williams’ mark of 18. With her sights set on a second Cincinnati title in three years, Gauff’s blend of aggressive play and mental resilience has fans buzzing as she prepares for the US Open, starting August 24. “Keep the faith always,” Gauff declared post-match, a four-word mantra that encapsulates her unwavering determination and spiritual grounding.
### A Dominant Display in Cincinnati
Gauff’s path to the quarterfinals showcased her growing mastery on hard courts. After a first-round bye, she opened her campaign with a clinical 6-3, 6-2 victory over world No. 37 Wang Xinyu, converting all five break points in just 70 minutes. Her Round of 16 clash with Bronzetti, ranked No. 61, saw Gauff dominate early, racing to a 6-2 first set with precise groundstrokes and a commanding serve. The second set proved tighter, with Bronzetti mounting a challenge, but Gauff’s composure prevailed, sealing the match in 82 minutes. “For the most part, I played aggressive,” she reflected, acknowledging moments of passivity but praising her ability to dictate play on Cincinnati’s fast courts. “I think [I was] just trusting myself and trusting the work we put in in practice.”
This victory marks a significant milestone, as Gauff’s 19 WTA 1000 quarterfinals before age 22 place her second only to Martina Hingis (25) in the format’s history since 1990. Her 2023 Cincinnati title, where she became the youngest champion at 19 by defeating Iga Swiatek and Karolina Muchova, remains a high point. “It feels great to be back in Cincinnati,” Gauff said, relishing her return to a tournament that launched her into the global spotlight. Her latest win, coupled with a walkover in the Round of 32 when Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska withdrew due to illness, has preserved her energy for a quarterfinal showdown against either No. 6 seed Jasmine Paolini or Barbora Krejcikova.
### Rebounding from Challenges
Gauff’s Cincinnati success comes after a rocky North American hard-court swing. At the Canadian Open, she struggled with a staggering 42 double faults across three matches, including 23 in a loss to Danielle Collins—the fifth-highest in WTA history. Her Round of 16 defeat to 18-year-old Victoria Mboko in Montreal raised questions about her second serve, which leads the tour with 293 double faults in 2025. “I was disappointed in myself when it comes to that part of the game,” Gauff admitted, noting that her practice sessions showed promise that didn’t initially translate. In Cincinnati, however, she turned the tide, limiting double faults against Wang and Bronzetti. “I’m happy with how I managed to turn things around,” she said, crediting her team’s focus on refining her serve under pressure.
The walkover against Yastremska, a player who upset Gauff at Wimbledon, spared her a grueling rematch in Cincinnati’s punishing heat. “I don’t ever think of revenge type of tennis,” Gauff remarked, praising Yastremska’s ball-striking ability. “Dayana is a tough opponent, great ball striker, can pull winners out of anywhere.” With a 3-1 head-to-head lead over Yastremska, Gauff’s confidence on hard courts—where she boasts a 7-0 record in WTA finals—positions her as a favorite to go deep in the tournament.
### A Rising Star with a Bright Future
Gauff’s 2025 season has been a testament to her evolution. Her French Open title in June, defeating Aryna Sabalenka to become the first American woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win at Roland Garros, marked her as a Grand Slam force. Off the court, her fashion choices—a new Miu Miu and New Balance outfit for each tournament—echo Williams’ iconic style. “I have not repeated an outfit,” Gauff noted, embracing her role as a trendsetter. Her admiration for the Williams sisters runs deep. “They’re the reason why I have this trophy today,” she said after her 2023 US Open win, a nod to their trailblazing influence.
As Gauff eyes a second Cincinnati title, her mental resilience shines. “I don’t pray for results, I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all,” she shared, a philosophy that has guided her through adversity. Her 36-8 record in WTA 1000 opening matches, now bettering Williams’ pre-22 mark, underscores her consistency. With the US Open looming, where she aims to reclaim the title she won in 2023, Gauff’s Cincinnati run signals her readiness to challenge top seeds like Swiatek and Sabalenka. Fans can catch her quarterfinal clash live on Sky Sports Tennis, as Gauff continues to carve her legacy, blending power, poise, and a faith-driven mindset to chase tennis immortality.
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