By Tony FairbairnJessica Pegula [3] v Iga Swiatek [7]Frances Tiafoe [17] v Brandon Nakashima [27]Coco Gauff [4] v Sara BejlekFlavio Cobolli [7] v Arthur Fils [21]CINCINNATI, USA – Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek will once again do battle for a place in the Cincinnati final.

 

 

Jessica Pegula [3] v Iga Swiatek [7] H2H & Match FundamentalsJessica Pegula [3] v Iga Swiatek [7]H2H: Swiatek leads 7-5Cincinnati 2026   Cincinnati, USAHard (O) Prize Money: $297,315Third on P&G Stadium Court (Not before 20:00 BST)Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

A sixth consecutive win for Jessica Pegula over Amanda Anisimova as the American prevailed in a last set tiebreak. It was an epic comeback from Pegula who is into the semi-finals in Cincinnati and continuing her great momentum in North America. There have been some big successes for Pegula over the last 12 months but Pegula has still one goal that she will be looking to accomplish. That is achieving Grand Slam success and the third seed can take a massive step towards that goal by winning the title in Cincinnati and building momentum ahead of the US Open.

The next task for Pegula is Iga Swiatek who is on a big winning streak at the moment. The Pole entered Cincinnati having won the title in Toronto and is into the last four in Cincinnati. It’s easy to forget that Swiatek is the defending champion in Cincinnati and this was her last title before winning Canada last week. The confidence for Swiatek is clear to see and she will fancy her chances of doing the WTA 1000 double ahead of the US Open where she is a former champion.

Pegula will serve well and look to use the backhand to be aggressive in the baseline rallies. Meanwhile, Swiatek will use the forehand to find the angles and will look to return aggressively. This will be a tight match but Swiatek is the fresher and will use that to her advantage to reach the final in Cincinnati once again.

Prediction: Swiatek in three sets.

 

Frances Tiafoe [17] v Brandon Nakashima [27] H2H & Match FundamentalsFrances Tiafoe [17] v Brandon Nakashima [27]H2H: Tiafoe leads 6-1Cincinnati 2026   Cincinnati, USAHard (O) Prize Money: $340,190Fourth on P&G Stadium Court (Not before 23:00 BST) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

The Frances Tiafoe show continues. The former finalist is into the semi-finals in Cincinnati after fending off a late comeback from Lorenzo Musetti to win in straight sets. It’s been a tricky season full of fitness problems and lack of consistency as he has fallen down the rankings. However, Tiafoe has shown great character in recent weeks and has turned his season around in Cincinnati. Now, the American looks to continue his great form and aims to reach a second final in Ohio.

Standing in Tiafoe’s way is the in-form Brandon Nakashima who is playing the best tennis of his career. After reaching a first Masters 1000 of his career in Canada last week, Nakashima has backed that up with a run to the last four in Cincinnati after defeating Taylor Fritz in a three set thriller. The American’s serving has improved which has elevated his game to the next level. After two top ten wins, Nakashima now aims for a second consecutive Masters 1000 final.

Tiafoe will aim to be aggressive on serve, using the forehand to dictate play from the baseline. Meanwhile, Nakashima will use the backhand to create space on the court while using variety to extract errors from Nakashima’s game. This will be a tight contest but Tiafoe may have enough in the big moments on serve to come through a good test of his skills.

Prediction: Tiafoe in three sets. 

 

 

Coco Gauff [4] v Sara Bejlek H2H & Match FundamentalsCoco Gauff [4] v Sara BejlekH2H: First MeetingCincinnati 2026   Cincinnati, USAHard (O) Prize Money: $297,315Fifth on P&G Stadium Court (Not before 00:30 BST)Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

Coco Gauff is on a mission as her exceptional form continues. The American is into the semi-finals of Cincinnati after thrashing the in-form Marta Kostyuk in straight sets. This result follows a great result in Canada where she reached the semi-finals as she continues to build momentum ahead of the US Open. Now, Gauff will aim to continue her high standard of performances as she will be one of the favourites to lift the title in New York in a few weeks time.

Next up for Gauff is 20 year-old star Sara Bejlek as her dream journey continues. An impressive last set tiebreak win over Madison Keys means she is into the semi-finals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time in her career. An impressive mix of power and variety has seen her play some incredible tennis and now she has her eyes set on a bigger prize which is to reach the final in Cincinnati.

Gauff will use the backhand to turn the points in her favour and force Bejlek into some passive tennis. Meanwhile, Bejlek will be aggressive and step inside the baseline using the forehand to be aggressive. This will be a big test for Gauff but the American should have too much quality in the big moments for Bejlek.

Prediction: Gauff in three sets.

 

Flavio Cobolli [7] v Arthur Fils [21] H2H & Match FundamentalsFlavio Cobolli [7] v Arthur Fils [21]H2H: Fils leads 2-0Cincinnati 2026   Cincinnati, USAHard (O) Prize Money: $340,190Second on P&G Stadium Court (Not before 18:30 BST) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

An unlikely source helped Flavio Cobolli edge past Tommy Paul in his bid to reach the semi-finals in Ohio. That came from some M&M’s as he needed energy to edge past the American in a thrilling contest. It means that the Italian’s successful season continues and he will fancy his chances of more Grand Slam success in New York in a couple of weeks time. A big title in Cincinnati could help that cause as his mix of power and variety is causing problems for the rest of the tour.

In the quarter-finals, Cobolli will face Arthur Fils after the Frenchman defeated Thiago Agustin Tirante in straight sets. The 21st seed has continued his impressive Masters 1000 streak to reach the semi-finals in Cincinnati as he looks for some titles to add to his form. The question is can Fils step up his game in the latter stages of tournaments and take advantage of this big opportunity?

Cobolli will use the forehand to dictate play and will aim to return aggressively. Meanwhile Fils will need to have a good serving day and be able to end points off quickly. This will be an exhausting contest with both players feeling confident in playing long rallies from the baseline. In the end Fils will take more risks in the bigger moments to reach the semi-finals in Cincinnati.

Prediction: Fils in three sets.

 

 

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