Coco Gauff wins Cincinnati's Western & Southern Open for first WTA 1000-level title

WATCH: Coco Gauff's victory speech

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula didn’t play doubles this week in Cincinnati. But as solo competitors, the longtime teammates combined to capture the notoriously difficult Canada-Cincy double.

In the process, both Americans won their most significant singles titles to date, and bolstered their prospects for what could be a career-defining US Open. None more so than Gauff, whose ability to compete with the best opponents on the big stages was an open question after her first-round exit at Wimbledon. It still may be, given that the Western & Southern Open is a 1000-level tournament, rather than a Grand Slam—and that her forehand remains, relatively speaking, a liability in her arsenal.

But consider Coco’s hard-court summer so far:

• Four straight-set wins in Washington, D.C.—three over seeded players—for her fourth career title (she’s still just 19)
• Quarterfinal run in Montreal, in which she defeated Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, 6-3, 6-0, before falling to Pegula, 7-5 in the third
• Her third title of the season in Cincinnati, including a conquest of world No. 1 Iga Swiatek

Like her doubles partner last week, Gauff entered a significant final after a giant victory over Iga; Coco had lost all 14 sets she’d played against the Pole before her cathartic, streak-snapping upset. But that only raised the stakes of the final—it was now a prime letdown spot.

Pegula took care of business up north, and Gauff did the same in the Midwest. Her 6-3, 6-4 win over Karolina Muchova showcased the teen star’s improved aggressiveness and confidence. She broke serve immediately, consolidated for a 2-0 lead, then saved a break point in the third game with a textbook serve-plus-one play.

But even though Gauff would hit three double faults in that third game, and drop serve, it didn’t halt her tactical and mental momentum. More often, it was Gauff taking the initiative in baseline rallies, with Muchova resorting to slice backhands and more defensive strategies. And more often than not, it paid off for Gauff. She broke back to regain a lead at 4-2, and despite another break from Muchova, Gauff responded instantly with her third break. A speedy hold would seal the set.

It was never a straightforward path to victory in this match-up of French Open finalists. But a two-game-stretch early in the second set, in which Muchova held game points and break points but failed to win either game, put Gauff in the position to become this century-old tournament's youngest champion.

After a Muchova error gifted Gauff an insurance break for 5-2—a policy she needed to take out—she did.

"It was never easy to play with that much pressure, but she did it beautifully," said Tennis Channel's Lindsay Davenport.

The open question will continue to be asked as Gauff makes her way to New York for the US Open.

“This is such a big tournament that if you happen to win it…it brings additional pressure and expectations,” Tennis Channel’s Jason Goodall noted on the broadcast.

His co-commentator, the former No. 1 Davenport, believes Gauff’s new counsel Brad Gilbert will help her manage what will surely be a whirlwind week.

In her victory speech, Gauff said she hoped that her and Muchova would meet again in finals, and on even bigger stages. She's already looking ahead—and so are we.