Coco Gauff takes cheeky jab at American men as Frances Tiafoe leads resurgent in Cincinnati

For some time now, American tennis has been stronger on the women's side over the men. This can be showcased with the Cincinnati Open WTA lineup with Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff set to clash on home soil. However, a certain Frances Tiafoe is in the men's final with Gauff sending a kidding statement to him and the other ATP American talents.

These last couple of weeks have been hugely positive for American tennis with emphasis on the men's game. Beforehand, it was Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton leading the line in the top 10 in the rankings. Both players have picked up a title in the North American hardcourt swing, and could soon be joined by Tiafoe if he is going to get one over Arthur Fils.

Adding to that, Brandon Nakashima reached the final in Canada as well as the semi-finals in Cincinnati, losing to Tiafoe, Learner Tien was debuted in a first Masters 1000 semi-final in Montreal with Tommy Paul enjoying a deep run in Ohio as well.

While recent form is on their side, they are still miles off the women. Ranked third and fourth in the world, Pegula and Gauff are finding their best form at the right time ahead of the highly anticipated US Open. The same could be said for Amanda Anisimova who reached the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals in a welcoming return to form. Further down, huge prospect Iva Jovic is set to rise to 14th in the world, a new career high, with Madison Keys also featuring in the last-eight.

After seeing her fellow American blast into the final, Gauff shared her delight for Tiafoe with a comical comment following her straight sets win over Sara Bejlek.

"It's great...you know...I mean...to see the men catch up," Gauff said. "I'm just kidding, I'm kidding. No...no, obviously American tennis is in great hands. We have a lot of great guys and women on both sides, and they are all great people, and it's great to see Frances get to the final. He is someone who works so hard and definitely deserves it."

She reeled off the names who had performed well over the past few weeks. "Obviously Taylor, Brandon making quarters and semis and then winning in Montreal, and let's not speak on the women," Gauff added. "Obviously Jess and me in the final, Maddy, Amanda, the list goes on, and on, and so it's pretty incredible that I can not even remember how many names and how many successful Americans we have."

In two contrasting finals based on the personnel, two of the best WTA players in the form of Gauff and Pegula will go toe to toe for glory. Both former finalists, Gauff won the 2023 version with Aryna Sabalenka being a thorn in Pegula's side once more in 2024.

It is set to be just their second meeting of 2026. The first came in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, in which the more youthful Gauff prolonged Pegula's wait for Grand Slam glory in a comeback win. They also featured in a WTA 1000 final last year at the Wuhan Open, again going the way of Gauff. Nevertheless, it is Pegula who leads the head to head 5-4.

This year, the two-time Grand Slam champion has seen her form fluctuate a lot. While there has been some early exits, this is a third WTA 1000 final reached following defeats in Miami and Rome. Pegula is in a second after her Dubai triumph, and a fifth WTA final of 2026 having lost her last two.

It is set to be a highly anticipated clash, but that will be played out after the men's final where a new Masters 1000 champion will be engraved. A former finalist in Cincinnati, Tiafoe had reached just one quarter-final at this level since that day in 2024. Enjoying a brilliant tournament, he will be backed by the home support with Fils standing in his way.

The Frenchman represents the rest of the world standing against the American force in front of him. He is the only chance in preventing a clean sweep, but it will not be an easy task. In his last 12 Masters 1000 appearances, he has made the quarter-finals an astonishing eight times, going into the semi-finals on three separate occasions. This most recent one is his first final, a long time coming after so many near misses.

There is so much on the line in this tie. While their status as top 10 players will not be established following the match, the winner will sit 11th in the world as they close in on Shelton and Fritz. Whatever happens, Fils and Tiafoe will be players to keep an eye out for at the upcoming US Open, beginning on August 30 with the pair flowing with confidence for the fourth and final major tournament of 2026.