In a sun-drenched showdown at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and 2023 Cincinnati Open champion, showcased her resilience and skill, dispatching Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 6-4 to secure her place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Cincinnati Open. The 21-year-old American, fresh off a challenging summer, proved why she remains a force to be reckoned with on the WTA tour, blending aggressive play with moments of introspection about the unique challenges of the tournament.
Gauff, who clinched her first WTA 1000 title at this very event two years ago, started the match with a commanding 3-0 lead in the first set, her powerful groundstrokes and relentless court coverage setting the tone. Despite a brief hiccup when Bronzetti broke her serve in the fifth game, Gauff quickly regained control, rattling off four consecutive games to claim the set in just 33 minutes. The second set was a tighter affair, with Bronzetti, ranked No. 61, finding her rhythm and challenging Gauff’s dominance. The Italian fought back to level the score at 2-2, even earning a break point, but a wayward backhand return squandered her chance. Gauff capitalized, breaking Bronzetti’s serve late in the set—sealed by the Italian’s costly double faults—to wrap up the victory in 79 minutes.
Reflecting on the match, Gauff was candid about the challenges posed by both her opponent and the playing conditions. “For the most part, I played aggressive,” she said, her voice carrying a mix of confidence and self-awareness. “Maybe I 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.” Her ability to adapt to the fast-paced, unpredictable balls—a sentiment echoed by other players like Jannik Sinner on the ATP side—highlighted her growing maturity on court.
This victory marks a significant step for Gauff, who has faced a rollercoaster season. After a triumphant start to 2025, leading the United States to victory at the United Cup with a standout win over world No. 2 Iga Świątek, Gauff stumbled at the Australian Open, falling to Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals. Early exits in Doha and Dubai followed, and despite reaching the fourth round at Indian Wells and Miami, her summer was marred by a crushing first-round loss at Wimbledon. The Cincinnati Open, however, seems to be a turning point. Gauff’s path to the quarterfinals was aided by a walkover in the third round when Dayana Yastremska withdrew due to illness, but her performance against Bronzetti showed a player rediscovering her spark.
Beyond her on-court prowess, Gauff’s connection to Cincinnati runs deep. The revamped Lindner Family Tennis Center, bolstered by a $260 million transformation, has left her in awe. “It’s been really cool,” she enthused, highlighting the new 56,000-square-foot Clubhouse and the player-friendly perks like unlimited acai bowls and smoothies. “The space to be alone is great. A lot of times at these tournaments, we see each other all the time, so having that breathing room is nice.” Her appreciation for the fans was equally heartfelt, as she spent nearly 40 minutes signing autographs after practice, a testament to the warm support she receives in Mason, Ohio.
Gauff’s journey in Cincinnati is also a homecoming of sorts. Her 2023 title run, where she defeated Karolina Muchova in the final and notched her first career win over Świątek, cemented her as a fan favorite and the youngest women’s champion since 1968. Now, as she eyes a second Cincinnati crown, she faces a formidable challenge in the quarterfinals against either Jasmine Paolini or Barbora Krejčíková, the latter a potential rematch of last year’s Wimbledon final. Gauff’s improved serving—reducing her double faults to just three against Bronzetti, a stark contrast to the 43 she hit in Montreal—suggests she’s sharpening her game at the right time.
As the US Open looms, Gauff’s performance in Cincinnati signals her intent to contend for another Grand Slam title. Her ability to balance aggression with control, coupled with her knack for learning from setbacks, makes her a dangerous opponent. “I had chances in a couple of those games. I missed a couple balls. But I learned from it and was able to close it out,” she said, encapsulating her growth mindset. With the crowd behind her and a renewed sense of purpose, Coco Gauff is poised to make waves in the Queen City and beyond.
Leave a Reply