Cincinnati Wins: Gauff and Djokovic thrill fans at Western & Southern Open

Delray Beach-based Coco Gauff celebrated the biggest win of her career after winning the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Serbia's Novak Djokovic won the men’s title. But the real winners were the fans in Cincinnati who were treated to some thrilling tennis. 

Accustomed to the Florida heat, this could turn out to be Gauff’s summer. Just two weeks after her tournament win in Washington D.C., the 19-year-old won her first ever Masters title defeating Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-4 in the final. 

Above: Coco Gauff gets ready to serve at the Western & Southern Open (Photo: Porsche)

Yesterday, marked Gauff's fifth singles career championship win on the WTA Tour. She's made tennis history by becoming the first teenager to win three tournaments in a season since Bianca Andreescu in 2019. She's also the first teenager to win five career titles since Caroline Wozniacki in 2007.

On the men's side, Novak Djokovic defeated world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7) 7-6(4) in a rollercoaster of a match that lasted almost four hours. It was the longest best-of-three sets final in ATP Tour history since 1990.

Above: Novak Djokovic hit some big forehands yesterday (Photo: Porsche)

“This was one of the most exciting matches I’ve ever played in any tournament,” the winner of a men’s-record 23 Grand Slam titles said during the post-match trophy presentation. “It felt like a Grand Slam.”

As part of the US Open Series, the Western & Southern Open is an important litmus test for players heading to New York for the tour's next Grand Slam. Gauff and Djokovic leave Cincinnati with growing confidence in their chances en route to the US Open. 

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Written by Florida Tennis' Executive Editor and Publisher Matt Pressman. Source: Porsche, AP. Photos:  Porsche.