By Tony Fairbairn
- Jessica Pegula [3] v Coco Gauff [4] | H2H: Pegula leads 5-4
- Frances Tiafoe [17] v Arthur Fils [21] | H2H: Fils leads 1-0
CINCINNATI, USA – Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff lock horns as the Cincinnati title is on the line on finals day.
Jessica Pegula [3] v Coco Gauff [4] | H2H: Pegula leads 5-4
It’s been an extraordinary tournament for Jessica Pegula who is into her second Cincinnati final. An excellent performance saw Pegula end Iga Swiatek’s recent winning streak as the American dethroned the defending champion to book her place in the final with her sights set on the title. Standing in Pegula’s way is Coco Gauff after the former champion outclasses Sara Bejlek to book her place in the final and a tenth career meeting with her former doubles partner.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
It’s been an impressive tournament from Pegula who is searching for a first title in Cincinnati and will be aiming to build momentum towards the US Open.
An very good all-round game and composure under pressure makes Pegula a constant threat and the American will be hoping that will meet its respective rewards.
In the final, Pegula will face her former doubles partner Gauff who has continued her impressive last month.
The American will enter the US Open as one of the favourites for the title and will hope to meet those expectations.
After improving her three set record, Pegula is aiming for the record and is happy with how she has handled conditions so far.
“I’m definitely going to break the record then because the year’s not even close to being over,” Pegula told the WTA website.
“I think that I’m able to play my game over the course of two and three sets. I think it’s the way that I play. It gives me a little bit of an advantage where I think like my opponent has to really — I don’t know what the word is — kind of get me off of my rhythm. I think that’s really hard to do sometimes, especially on a hard court against me.
“I had played enough tennis the last couple days, and when I came out this morning … I didn’t feel anything at all that was ailing me in the match against Amanda. It was a lot of back and forth and I think I did a good job of no matter what was happening, just staying focused on what I wanted to do to win the match.
“I think even though we weren’t serving great today in the first set, I think from the first game I was standing on top of the baseline trying to take away time and space from her, which I feel like is how I’ve been successful against her more specifically on a hard court.
“I know the conditions here. I’m able to do that a little bit more than other places and that’s kind of how I wanted to play. I think at the end of the day that’s what I did really well all the way up until the end of the match.”
Meanwhile Gauff has praised his confidence as he looks ahead to a thrilling final with Pegula.
“I was just trying to stay focused,” Gauff explained to the WTA website.
“Sometimes you don’t know if you should be aggressive and risk making mistakes. I was just trying to stay focused on each ball.”
Pegula will be aggressive on serve and will use the forehand to move Gauff around the court.
Meanwhile, Gauff will take the backhand early and pin Pegula behind the baseline allowing her to dictate the play.
This will be a thrilling final with both players producing some stunning tennis over this tournament.
The conditions may suit Gauff’s tennis slightly more in what will be a match decided by fine margins.
Prediction: Gauff in three sets.
Frances Tiafoe [17] v Arthur Fils [21] | H2H: Fils leads 1-0
A second Cincinnati awaits for Frances Tiafoe as he defeated Brandon Nakashima. The American has been in inspired form in Ohio this week and now hopes to cap off the week with a first Masters 1000 title. A match with Arthur Fils awaits in the final after the Frenchman knocked out Flavio Cobolli to reach a second Masters 1000 final of his career after reaching his first in Miami this year.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
It’s been an incredible fortnight for Tiafoe who is the last American standing after an exceptional tournament in Cincinnati.
Now, Tiafoe will be hoping to secure a first Masters 1000 title of his career and reward his perseverance and potential.
A match with Fils now awaits for the title after Fils’ has been ruthless on his way to a second Masters 1000 final.
The Frenchman will be hoping he can maintain his explosive standards and finally get his Masters 1000 breakthrough.
Tiafoe described his week as ‘unexpected’ and laid down the gauntlet for his French opponent ahead of the final.
“It feels pretty damn good,” Tiafoe admitted to the ATP website.
“I’m really happy with it. It’s been a great week and a great weekend, unexpectedly, so I’m super happy. [It will be] a helluva show. “And hopefully another ‘W’ with that. He’s a helluva player. Moves great, serves great. He has the shotmaking [ability]. He’s going to want it, he’s going to be pumped up, and so am I.
“May the best man win.”
Meanwhile Fils admitted he was happy with his semi-final performance over Cobolli.
“I was very happy with the performance,” Fils stated to the ATP website.
“I started pretty slow. I was a bit tight, but I think from 4-3 in the first set when I won those long rallies, just the momentum came my way and I felt so much better. Especially on the serve, because in the first couple of games I didn’t serve good at all, and then after it was very good.
“So I’m very happy with the performance.”
Tiafoe will maintain a high level of serving and will attack the Fils baseline game using the forehand.
Meanwhile, Fils will use the backhand to force Tiafoe into high risk shots and step inside the baseline at crucial moments.
The stars may be aligning for Tiafoe in Cincinnati and he will be hoping to take his opportunity in a nervy final.
Prediction: Tiafoe in three sets.
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