World No. 2 Coco Gauff has reached the fourth round of the WTA and ATP Cincinnati Open without striking a ball, after opponent Dayana Yastremska withdrew from their scheduled third-round clash on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old American was due to face Yastremska in what many fans had marked as a must-watch encounter, particularly as the Ukrainian had stunned Gauff at Wimbledon earlier this summer. The match promised a potential revenge storyline—but illness forced Yastremska to pull out before taking the court.
Tournament officials confirmed that Yastremska’s withdrawal was due to illness, later revealed to be severe side effects from antibiotics. The Ukrainian explained that the medication had left her weak, with an elevated heart rate during exertion, making it unsafe to compete at the high-intensity level required.
The result sends Gauff directly into the round of 16, giving her valuable extra rest in the middle of a physically demanding US Open series. She will now face Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, who upset former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko to secure her place in the next round.
While the walkover deprived fans of a potentially thrilling match, it did offer Gauff a rare mid-tournament break. The Florida native made the most of the unexpected day off by attending a Cincinnati Reds baseball game, sharing photos and videos from the stands on social media. Her relaxed demeanor suggested she is enjoying her time in the Queen City both on and off the court.
The walkover also carries strategic benefits—Gauff will be fresher for her upcoming matches, an advantage that could prove crucial as she looks to build momentum ahead of the US Open. With her powerful baseline game and recent Grand Slam-winning experience, she remains one of the heavy favorites to claim the title in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Open, one of the premier events on the tennis calendar, often serves as a key form guide heading into the final major of the year. Gauff’s progress—albeit in unusual circumstances—keeps her firmly in the spotlight as American fans dream of a home champion.
Bronzetti will present a different challenge: the Italian’s aggressive play and recent upset victory suggest she’s in confident form. Still, with a day’s extra rest and the support of the local crowd, Gauff will go into the matchup as the clear favorite.
For now, Gauff’s unexpected day off has turned into an opportunity to recharge—and perhaps an omen that her Cincinnati campaign could be shaping up in her favor. Fans will be watching closely to see if this smooth passage through the draw becomes the springboard for another deep run.
