Coco Gauff comments on how Jessica Pegula inspired her win over Iga Swiatek which became her highlight during the Cincinnati Open title run

Coco Gauff defeated Iga Swiatek for the first time in eight attempts.

Coco Gauff comments on how Jessica Pegula inspired her win over Iga Swiatek which became her highlight during the Cincinnati Open title run

Coco Gauff (L), Iga Swiatek (R) (Image via WTA)

American tennis star Coco Gauff beat reigning Wimbledon Champion Karolina Muchova in the summit clash of the 2023 Cincinnati Open to lift her maiden WTA 1000 title. Before the all-important finals, Gauff defeated World No.1, Iga Swiatek in a three-set thriller in the semifinals. 

It was a hard-earned win for Gauff (7-6, 3-6, 6-4), considering the American won all her matches in straight sets at the WTA 1000 event. And now, Gauff has credited her former doubles partner Jessica Pegula for inspiring her and helping her finally break the losing streak against the Pole. 

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The 19-year-old has claimed that Pegula beating Swiatek in the semifinals of the 2023 Canada Open instilled belief in the American. While answering a question on what was the biggest highlight of the week for her at the Cincinnati Open, Gauff picked her title win as well as the win against Swiatek. 

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“Other than the win today, it was definitely the win against Iga. I think that put a lot of confidence in me for today,” said the 19-year-old to the WTA. Gauff then explained how Pegula’s win in Montreal strengthened her belief in her abilities and that she had the edge over Swiatek this time around. 

“Jess played an incredible match. I think that just inspired me even more. And honestly, seeing her beat Iga last week gave me some hope because I was like, I got close to beating her and I’ve beaten Jess before, so it gave me some hope that maybe this was my time,” explained Gauff.

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Coco Gauff ready for the US Open challenge

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Image via WTA)

After shrugging off the disappointment at the All-England Club with a WTA 1000 title win in Cincinnati, Coco Gauff is ready for her home slam and is aiming for nothing less than a title. The 19-year-old who is seeded sixth, will be among the hot favorites to lift the trophy at the Flushing Meadows along with the likes of Swiatek and Pegula. 

However, the 19-year-old said that she will not make a fuss about it as it is not about “life and death”. “I’m going to give it my all in US Open. If things go great, that’s exciting. If not, I go back and work hard and get ready for the next one. That’s kind of the mentality you have to have,” said Gauff. 

Coco Gauff will draw inspiration from her 2022 performance at the year’s last Grand Slam wherein she had made it to the quarterfinals but had lost to Caroline Garcia.

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