Coco Gauff is just two wins away from another Cincinnati title after a praiseworthy quarterfinal win against 10th seed Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 in under 75 minutes to reach the semifinals, where she will face Czech player Sara Bejlek.
In Cincy, Gauff had a slow start, losing the first set to Liudmila Samsonova, but has not dropped a set since. The two-time Grand Slam winner said she is feeling more confident at the net, a change that has impressed legendary coach Rick Macci and made him believe she could soon become world No. 1.
Rick Macci Backs Coco Gauff to Reach World No. 1 After Declaring Her Serve Issues ‘In the Rear View Mirror’
The fourth-seed needed just 70 minutes to beat the 2026 Madrid Open champion in straight sets. The shift in her game plan to an aggressive one was well noted, as she often moved to the net and won six break points, while dropping just five points behind her first serve. The 22-year-old also showed her quick reflexes and athleticism, improving her record against Kostyuk to 4-2.
Gauff said her more aggressive style was encouraged by tennis legend Chris Evert, who has been urging her to come to the net more often. “I didn’t realize how good I was at it until Wimbledon,” Gauff told reporters. “Everyone has been telling me to come to the net more. Actually, Chris Evert has been texting me sometimes to come to the net more. And I tell her yeah, I’m going to, and then I just don’t. I finally did at Wimbledon, and I won so many points that way.”
Following the match, the former coach of Venus and Serena Williams, Andy Roddick, and Maria Sharapova, shared his thoughts on Gauff’s game, explaining that Gauff has fixed her biggest weaknesses and is playing the best game of her career.
“Coco has the biomechanical issues cleared up on the serve and that is in the rear view mirror. She is using her athletic ability which is second to none to attack swarm anticipate and make reservations at the net,” Macci wrote on an X post.
“She as I said many times has make up speed like an Olympic sprinter that the sport has not seen since Venus. She is not competing against herself and mindset has been top shelf. Her game is getting more complete and number one for sure is down the street,” Macci added.
Coco has the biomechanical issues cleared up on the serve, and that is in the rear-view mirror. She is using her athletic ability which is second to none to attack swarm anticipate and make reservations at the net. She as I said many times has make up speed like an Olympic…
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) August 22, 2026
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Gauff has now become just the fourth player in the Open Era to reach multiple Cincinnati semifinals before turning 23. The Cincinnati run is also giving her a boost in the rankings, as she reached 5,919 points with her semifinal appearance. A runner-up finish would take the American to 6,354, while winning the title would put her at 6,704.
With Aryna Sabalenka still No. 1, Elena Rybakina, Gauff, and Jessica Pegula are all in the mix for a shot at becoming the WTA’s 30th world No. 1. The main draw at the US Open begins on August 30.
