In a stroke of fortune at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, world No. 2 Coco Gauff advanced to the Round of 16 without hitting a single ball, as her scheduled third-round opponent, Dayana Yastremska, withdrew due to illness on August 12. The unexpected walkover spared Gauff from battling both a formidable foe and the punishing Cincinnati heat, where temperatures soared to 91 degrees with 50% humidity, conditions that have tested players’ endurance throughout the tournament. The 21-year-old American, fresh off her 2023 Cincinnati title and 2025 French Open triumph, now awaits the winner of Jelena Ostapenko and Lucia Bronzetti, poised to leverage her rested state in a bid to reclaim the Western & Southern Open crown.
Gauff’s path to the fourth round comes on the heels of a challenging summer. Her grass-court season was marred by a shocking first-round loss to Yastremska at Wimbledon, a straight-sets defeat that left her reeling. “Dayana started off playing strong,” Gauff reflected after that match. “I couldn’t find my footing out there today. I feel like mentally I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards.” The Cincinnati walkover offers a chance to reset against an opponent who holds a 1–3 head-to-head edge over her, a rare blemish in Gauff’s otherwise dominant 2025 campaign. Her earlier second-round win over China’s Xinyu Wang, a 6-3, 6-2 victory on August 10, showcased her ability to rebound from a shaky start. “It was a rough start,” she admitted, “but it was about just trusting myself and the work we’ve done in practice. I was able to let it all go in the second set.”
The Cincinnati conditions have been a talking point, with players grappling with oppressive heat and a fast center court that Gauff noted feels “a bit faster than the practice courts.” She added, “It’s always hot here, but I’m just happy to do better than I did last year. Last year, I lost in my first match. So, I’m just happy to be a step better than last year.” The heat has taken a toll, with France’s Arthur Rinderknech collapsing mid-match against Felix Auger-Aliassime and another player halting play for medical attention. Yastremska’s withdrawal, attributed to an unspecified illness, underscores the physical demands of the tournament, making Gauff’s walkover a significant advantage as she eyes a deep run.
Gauff’s Cincinnati journey carries extra weight as a homecoming of sorts. The 2023 champion, who became the first teen to win the title since 1968, has a special connection to the Queen City. Before the tournament, she delighted fans by serving Black Raspberry Chip ice cream at Graeter’s, a local staple, donning a Graeter’s T-shirt and handing out cones with a smile. “Every day one of the chefs was giving me a pesto or basil leaf; it was my good luck charm,” she shared after her 2023 victory, laughing about the Midwest hospitality that endeared her to fans. Her 2025 appearance has also turned heads off the court, with her New Balance x Miu Miu outfit earning her the unofficial title of “Best Dressed” player. “As soon as I saw your post, I thought to myself, I love your outfit!” one fan commented, while another gushed, “Very cute!!! If only I could pull that ‘fit’ off…But as usual, you look awesome, Coco.”
The walkover is the second at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, following Iga Świątek’s advancement when Marta Kostyuk withdrew with a wrist injury. Gauff, who holds a 2–0 record against Bronzetti and a 2–1 edge over Ostapenko, is well-positioned for her next match, scheduled for August 13 after rain delays. Her 2025 season has been a blend of brilliance and setbacks. After her French Open title, she faltered in Montreal, losing to Victoria Mboko in the quarterfinals, and struggled on grass, with early exits in Berlin and Wimbledon. Yet, her Cincinnati performance last year—culminating in a final win over Karolína Muchová—proved a springboard to her US Open crown. “I told myself to ‘close how you know how to close,’” Gauff said after that 2023 final, a mindset she’ll need against tough competition like reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, and Madison Keys.
Gauff’s resilience is rooted in her faith and perspective. A devout Christian, she prays with her father before every match, seeking strength rather than results. “I don’t pray for results, I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all,” she said after her 2023 US Open win. Her idols, Serena and Venus Williams, inspired her to pick up a racket, and her Cincinnati success feels like a nod to their legacy. As she prepares for her Round of 16 clash, Gauff’s walkover offers a rare moment of reprieve in a grueling season. With the US Open looming, her ability to capitalize on this opportunity could signal another deep run, reinforcing her status as a cornerstone of American tennis and a fan favorite in Cincinnati’s tennis-crazed community.
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