Coco Gauff is on a roll again at the Cincinnati Open, showing why she’s considered one of the brightest young stars in tennis. The 21-year-old American, currently ranked world No. 2, powered her way into the quarterfinals on August 14, 2025, with a straight-sets victory over Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, 6-2, 6-4. The match, lasting just 79 minutes, marked a significant milestone for Gauff—it’s her first trip to the last eight of any tournament since she claimed her second Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this year.
Gauff’s route to the quarterfinals was, in part, made easier when Dayana Yastremska withdrew from their previous round, handing the American a walkover. But there was nothing easy about her fourth-round encounter with Bronzetti, whose flat-hitting style presented a unique challenge. Gauff, who has now reached her fifth quarterfinal of the 2025 season across WTA 1000 and Grand Slam events, has not dropped a set in Cincinnati this year. That’s quite a turnaround from last season, where she failed to win a match at the same tournament.
From the outset, Gauff asserted herself on the hard court, breaking Bronzetti’s serve early and racing to a 3-0 lead in the first set. Though Bronzetti managed to break back once, Gauff’s aggressive play and precise backhand kept her opponent on the defensive. Gauff broke serve five times out of seven opportunities and never trailed in either set, even if she did briefly surrender an early break in the second. She ultimately sealed the win with a decisive break in the final game, closing out the match with her first match point.
Statistically, Gauff’s performance was impressive: she cracked 23 winners, including six aces, and committed just three double-faults. Her first-serve percentage was a healthy 79%, and she converted five of her seven break-point chances. Bronzetti, meanwhile, managed only seven winners in the face of Gauff’s relentless pressure. The American’s ability to maintain control, even when the Italian threatened to force a deciding set, underscored her growing maturity and tactical acumen on court.
After the match, Gauff was candid about the difficulties she faced. “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,” Gauff explained, according to The Tennis Letter. She elaborated further in her interview with Tennis Channel, describing Bronzetti’s game as particularly challenging. “It felt very awkward! I was lucky to practice with a couple of players this week who hit it flat, but she definitely hits flatter than even those who did hit flat. It was very weird. It was super low and I was having to get low but then always having to hit the ball basically in this C pattern, especially on the forehand side. It was awkward but I think I did well with it most of the time.”
Gauff also noted the unusual playing conditions, specifically the tennis balls used in Cincinnati. “It’s tough with these balls, they fly in these conditions, so you just have to trust yourself out there but overall I think today was better than my last match and I’m happy with how I played,” she said. She admitted to being a bit tentative in some games, saying, “A couple of those games I maybe decelerated.” Still, her ability to adjust and close out the match speaks volumes about her confidence and adaptability.
The match wasn’t just a tactical battle; it was also a test of resilience. Bronzetti, who has now lost all her meetings with Gauff, did her best to disrupt the American’s rhythm, especially with her flat backhand—regarded by Gauff as the flattest in the WTA’s top 50. But Gauff’s preparation paid off. “I was lucky to practice with a couple players this week that do hit flat. So, but yeah, she definitely hits flatter than even the ones that do hit flat,” Gauff remarked. “So, it was very weird. It was like super low, having to get low, but always having to hit the ball, like basically in this like C pattern, especially on my forehand side of the court. So, it was awkward, but I think I did well with it most of the time.”
With this win, Gauff becomes the youngest woman since Elina Svitolina in 2015 to reach multiple Cincinnati quarterfinals. Her record at WTA 1000 events is also drawing attention: since the format was introduced in 1990, Gauff is now the third-youngest player to notch as many quarterfinal appearances before turning 22. That’s some elite company, and it highlights just how quickly she’s risen through the ranks.
Looking back, Gauff’s journey in Cincinnati has been a story of growth and redemption. Two years ago, she made history by becoming the youngest woman in the Open Era to win the Cincinnati Open, defeating Karolina Muchova in the final. That victory set the stage for her US Open triumph later that summer. A year later, she stumbled at this same event, but 2025 has seen her bounce back with renewed vigor and focus. Her early exits at the Berlin Open and Wimbledon this season seem like distant memories now.
As for what’s next, Gauff will face Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals. Paolini, the seventh seed from Italy, advanced after a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Barbora Krejcikova—a match in which the Czech player needed medical treatment for her left foot. Paolini was quick to acknowledge her opponent’s struggles but remained focused on her own performance. “I think she wasn’t at 100 percent, but she’s an unbelievable player. She can put the ball wherever she wants every time, I don’t know how she does this. But I’m happy that I tried to stay there mentally until the last point,” Paolini said.
Elsewhere in the draw, French qualifier Varvara Gracheva continued her breakout run by defeating Germany’s Ella Seidel 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 to reach her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal. Gracheva’s next opponent will be Veronika Kudermetova, who ousted Poland’s Magda Linette 6-4, 6-3. The competition is heating up as the tournament heads into its final stages, with several rising stars looking to make their mark.
For Gauff, the Cincinnati Open is feeling like a homecoming of sorts—a place where she’s built memories, faced setbacks, and now, once again, is chasing glory. With her combination of power, poise, and youthful confidence, she’s reminding everyone why she’s a force to be reckoned with on the WTA Tour. The next test comes against Paolini, and if Gauff’s current form is anything to go by, fans are in for another thrilling showdown.
The action in Cincinnati is far from over, and as Gauff prepares for her quarterfinal clash, the tennis world will be watching closely. Can she add another chapter to her already remarkable story in Ohio? One thing’s for sure: she’s not ready to slow down just yet.
