American tennis star Coco Gauff, the second seed, secured a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti on Thursday in Mason, Ohio, advancing to the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open. This win propels Gauff further in the tournament as she continues to demonstrate strong form on the court.
Having not played for four days due to receiving a walkover in the third round, Gauff capitalized on her freshness during the match’s crucial moments. She converted five of seven break-point chances and claimed 57.9 percent of points on her second serve. In contrast, Bronzetti, an unseeded player who upset two top-25 seeds earlier in the event, managed only 22.2 percent of points on her second serve.
Gauff Reflects on Her Performance Amid Challenging Conditions
Gauff described her approach to the match as mostly aggressive, though she acknowledged brief moments of passivity.
“For the most part, I played aggressive. Maybe got a bit passive in some of those games. But it’s tough. The balls are super light and they fly,”
she said.
“She wasn’t giving me much pace. I was trying to play with control but also aggressive. I think I did well. I missed a couple balls. But I learned from it and was able to close it out.”
—Coco Gauff, tennis player
Upcoming Quarterfinal Against Italian Rival
Following her victory, Gauff will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the No. 7 seed, for a spot in the Cincinnati Open semifinals. Paolini moved past Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic with an emphatic 6-1, 6-2 win, where she did not face a single break point over 65 minutes. This match establishes a compelling Italian–American showdown as Gauff seeks to maintain momentum after her recent Grand Slam success.
Other Notable Matches in the Round of 16
The tournament also featured an intense contest between unseeded players Varvara Gracheva from France and Germany’s Ella Seidel. Gracheva staged a comeback after dropping the first set, ultimately winning 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the Round of 16. Her improved play in the final two sets allowed her to lose just two games total. This marks Gracheva’s first appearance at this stage in a WTA 1000 event since Miami in 2023.
Gracheva will meet Veronika Kudermetova of Russia next, who secured her own upset by defeating Poland’s Magda Linette 6-4, 6-3. Kudermetova closed out the match strongly, winning the last four games to earn this Round of 16 berth, her first in a WTA 1000 tournament since 2023.
Kudermetova Attributes Success to Mindset
Kudermetova shared insights into her recent upturn in performance:
“I think it’s just my mindset,”
she said.
“Right now, I’m trying to enjoy the tennis. … These past few weeks, I’m really proud of myself.”
—Veronika Kudermetova, tennis player
Significance of Gauff’s Victory and Tournament Outlook
Coco Gauff’s Cincinnati Open victory marks a critical step as she advances beyond the third round for the first time since winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open in June. Her poised and aggressive play signals readiness to contend deeply in this high-profile event. The upcoming match against Jasmine Paolini will test Gauff’s consistency and ability to manage pressure against another skilled Italian opponent. Meanwhile, the performances of unseeded players like Gracheva and Kudermetova highlight the depth of competition in the draw, promising tightly contested matches in the remaining rounds.