Coco Gauff moved into position as an outside US Open threat as the US teenager won her second big event this month with victory at the Cincinnati Masters on Sunday.
The 19-year-old seventh seed defeated Roland Garros finalist Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-4 for her first 1000-level trophy.
The success follows a similar accomplishment at the Washington hardcourt event a fortnight ago.
“This is unbelievable,” the winner said. ‘Especially after Europe (first-round loss in Wimbledon).
“I had a lot of nights crying and trying to figure it all out but this is great.”
Gauff is the first teen to win five career titles since Carolina Wozniacki (2008-2009).
She ended with 16 winners and broke her Czech opponent five times.
The pair exchanged breaks twice in the opening set before Gauff pulled away to win it after three-quarters of an hour.
Se then grabbed a 5-2 lead in the second set but was broken while serving for victory leading 5-3.
A second chance proved useful as Gauff took the trophy on her fourth match point after just under two hours.
Since exiting Wimbledon in the first round last month, Gauff has come alive on the North American cement, winning 11 of her last 12 matches.
She has lost only one of her six career WTA finals.
Muchova will turn 27 on Monday with a career-best ranking of 10th.
Main photo:-Coco Gauff winning in Cincy by WTATennis.com
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