The 2025 Cincinnati Open delivered an unexpected twist on August 12, as world No. 2 Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round without striking a ball, courtesy of a dramatic withdrawal by her scheduled third-round opponent, Dayana Yastremska. The Ukrainian, ranked No. 31, was forced to pull out just hours before their highly anticipated rematch due to severe health issues caused by antibiotics. “For the past few days, I’ve been taking strong antibiotics, which have caused severe intoxication,” Yastremska revealed in a statement to Ukrainian Tennis, explaining her decision to step back from the WTA 1000 event. This unforeseen development handed Gauff a walkover, propelling her into the Round of 16 and offering a moment of respite in a grueling season as she prepares for the US Open.
The matchup carried significant weight for Gauff, who was eager to face Yastremska after a stinging defeat at Wimbledon 40 days earlier. In that first-round upset, Yastremska dominated the American 7-6(3), 6-1, marking one of the most shocking results of the Championships and leaving Gauff as only the third woman in the Open Era to exit Wimbledon’s opening round after winning the French Open. “She’s a tough opponent, great ball striker, can pull winners out of anywhere,” Gauff had said ahead of the Cincinnati clash, acknowledging the challenge. “It’ll be a tough test for me, especially having to play her again.” Despite the 3-1 head-to-head lead Gauff held over Yastremska, the Ukrainian’s recent form, including a hard-fought 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 victory over qualifier Viktoriya Tomova in Cincinnati, made her a dangerous foe. Yastremska’s withdrawal, however, denied Gauff the chance to measure her progress on hard courts, a surface she considers more favorable than grass. “I think I’ve had more time to work on things on the hard court season and definitely I think a better surface than grass for me,” she noted.
Gauff’s path to the fourth round had already showcased her resilience. In her second-round match, she dispatched China’s Xinyu Wang 6-3, 6-2 in just 70 minutes, avenging a loss from Berlin’s grass courts earlier in the summer. Despite early serving struggles, with eight double faults in her first three service games, Gauff converted all five break points against Wang and saved five of seven on her own serve, reinforcing her dominance in WTA 1000 opening matches. Her 36-8 record in such contests before age 22 trails only Martina Hingis in the format’s history. “It feels great to be back in Cincinnati,” Gauff said after the win. “Obviously, two years ago I won, and it set me up for a great two weeks in New York, so it means a lot to me, this tournament.”
Yastremska’s withdrawal was not an isolated incident in Cincinnati, where blistering temperatures and humidity took a toll on players. Arthur Rinderknech collapsed mid-match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, and another player paused for medical attention, highlighting the physical demands of the event. Yastremska, who had considered skipping Cincinnati altogether due to her health, pushed through her opener against Tomova but couldn’t continue. “I even considered not playing in Cincinnati at all but still gave a shot to the Viktoriya Tomova match,” she shared, underscoring her determination despite her condition.
For Gauff, the walkover offers a chance to conserve energy as she faces either Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko or Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in the fourth round on August 13. The 21-year-old, who won the 2023 Cincinnati title and followed it with her first Grand Slam at the US Open, is building momentum for her title defense in New York. Her 2025 season, highlighted by a French Open crown and a 34-11 hard-court record, positions her as a favorite, though recent losses in Berlin, Wimbledon, and Montreal to 18-year-old Victoria Mboko have tested her. Gauff’s decision to skip mixed doubles at the US Open, citing her competitive nature—“I’m very competitive; if I were to lose, I would not be happy”—reflects her focus on singles success.
As Gauff advances, the tennis community wishes Yastremska a swift recovery, with fans buzzing online about the unpredictable nature of the sport. The Cincinnati Open, with its fast courts and passionate crowds, remains a pivotal stop, and Gauff’s unexpected reprieve could be the spark she needs to chase another deep run.
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