Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old tennis sensation and defending Cincinnati Open champion, is gearing up for a challenging rematch at the 2025 Cincinnati Open against Dayana Yastremska, the Ukrainian player who stunned her in the first round of Wimbledon earlier this year. Gauff candidly admitted the “trouble” Yastremska poses, stating, “This match, for me, will be a good measure of where my game is now. That was a tough loss for me, but I always have trouble against her. When she plays me, she seems to pull winners out of everywhere.”
At Wimbledon 2025, Yastremska, ranked No. 32, delivered a decisive 7-6(3), 6-1 upset over Gauff, the World No. 2 and recent Roland Garros champion. Gauff struggled in the second set, unable to counter Yastremska’s aggressive play, which kept her moving relentlessly across the court. Reflecting on that defeat, Gauff admitted feeling “mentally a bit overwhelmed” after juggling back-to-back Grand Slams, a lesson she’s carried into her Cincinnati preparations.
Entering the Cincinnati Open with a first-round bye, Gauff started strongly, defeating Xinyu Wang 6-3, 6-2 in the second round, expressing satisfaction with her improved service return—a former weakness now considered a strength. However, her anticipated third-round clash with Yastremska, who advanced through the draw, loomed large as a potential hurdle. Gauff’s draw analysis highlighted Yastremska as her likely third-round opponent, with tougher matches against players like Daria Kasatkina or Jelena Ostapenko possible in later rounds.
Despite her concerns, Gauff’s mindset showed growth. She spoke about trying to ease the pressure she places on herself, saying, “One thing I’ve learned is that I’ve had a lot of success so far in my career. I always put the pressure on myself to do more, but sometimes it’s just good to say you did well.” This reflective approach comes after a challenging summer, including an early exit at the Paris Olympics and a loss to Diana Shnaider in Toronto.
Ultimately, Gauff’s Cincinnati campaign ended earlier than expected. In a shocking upset, she fell 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to Yulia Putintseva in the second round, not Yastremska as anticipated, extending an eight-year “Cincinnati curse” where no reigning women’s champion has defended their title. A Sky Sports commentator noted Gauff’s struggles, pointing to uncharacteristic errors “out of nowhere” as a factor in her defeat. Gauff, visibly shaken, skipped the press conference, later admitting she was “struggling in the locker room” after the loss.
The early exit, coupled with her Wimbledon loss to Yastremska, signals a dip in form as Gauff heads toward the US Open, where she aims to defend her 2023 title. Her honest admission of Yastremska’s threat and her broader struggles reflect a player grappling with high expectations while striving to regain her “nitro button” momentum. For further details, check sources like Tennis.com or Cincinnati.com. If you have a specific article or additional context, share it, and I can refine the response!
