Coco Gauff has advanced to the third round of the Cincinnati Open after Dayana Yastremska was forced to withdraw from their clash due to an illness
Coco Gauff is through to the Round of 16 at the Cincinnati Open after Dayana Yastremska’s withdrawal(Image: Robert Prange, Getty Images)
Coco Gauff secured her spot in the 2025 Cincinnati Open Round of 16 without even stepping onto the court for her Round of 32 showdown.
On Tuesday, Gauff – who’s been given a solution to her serve issue by ex-Serena Williams coach – was scheduled to battle Dayana Yastremska, who stunned the American with a straight-sets victory in Wimbledon‘s opening round just last month. However, the Ukrainian was compelled to pull out of the contest due to an undisclosed illness, handing Gauff an automatic advancement.
Yastremska isn’t the only competitor to succumb to sickness amid Cincinnati’s blistering temperatures. Arthur Rinderknech crumpled to the ground mid-match during his bout with Felix Auger-Aliassime, while another athlete had to halt play in his encounter to receive medical care. Meanwhile, Serena has been predicted to make a tennis return – just like her sister, Venus.
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“Dayana started off playing strong,” Gauff said at the time.
“I couldn’t find my footing out there today. I feel like mentally I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards, so I didn’t feel like I had enough time to celebrate and also get back into it. … When I can serve well, and some games I did, it’s definitely an added threat.
“I didn’t serve that well.”
Following her 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Xinyu Wang on Sunday, Gauff told reporters she wasn’t harboring thoughts of payback heading into her potential clash with Yastremska. “I don’t ever think of revenge type of tennis,” she said.
Yastremska upset Gauff in the first round of Wimbledon(Image: Getty)
“At first I used to think like that, but then I’m like, I’ve played too many people too many times to have a revenge mindset.
“But no, I think for me it’s a good measure to see where my game is. I felt that Wimbledon match, it was just a tough loss for me. And I don’t think I approached it as well.
“Dayana, I always have trouble against her. She’s a tough opponent, great ball striker, can pull winners out of anywhere. So yeah, it’ll be a tough test for me, especially having to play her again.
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“But, you know, I think I’ve had more time to work on things on the hard court season and definitely I think a better surface than grass for me. So yeah, it’s going to be a tough match but I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I can do better.”
Following her walkover victory, Gauff will now face the victor of the clash between Jelena Ostapenko and Lucia Bronzetti in the Round of 16 on Wednesday.
The World No. 2 remains unfazed by Cincinnati’s challenging playing conditions, explaining: “The conditions are a little bit – well, it’s always fast here, but I feel like the center court is a bit faster than the practice courts.
“And then, yeah, it’s always hot here … but I’m just happy to do better than I did last year. Last year, I lost in my first match. So, I’m just happy to be a step better than last year.”