How did Gauff win — was it her serve or baseline game?

Gauff won through a blend: a higher first-serve percentage when required, aggressive returning, and superior point construction from the baseline rather than singularly dominant serving.

What did Li do wrong in the match?

Li struggled to take initiative, often reacting to Gauff’s pace instead of redirecting play; small tactical errors and missed opportunities to attack second serves proved decisive.

Does this make Gauff a favorite for the Cincinnati title?

This win strengthens her status as a contender, but the draw and matchups ahead will determine her true chances — she is certainly among the favorites if she maintains this level.

Gauff’s Authority Grows: Cincinnati Last 16, Li Sent Packing

Coco Gauff produced a composed, authoritative performance to dispose of Li and secure a place in the Cincinnati Open last 16, reminding the tour she is no longer simply a rising name but a genuine threat. She mixed power with patience, taking control of rallies early and forcing Li into uncomfortable defensive patterns.

Tactically, Gauff was crisp — first-serve percentages climbed when it mattered, and her willingness to step in on second deliveries uncloaked predictable replies from Li. The baseline exchanges showed improved variety: slice, short-angle flares and sudden accelerations that opened the court rather than mere brute force.

For Li, the match exposed the thin margin between resilience and retreat at this level; she kept fighting but repeatedly met Gauff’s well-timed aggression rather than shaping points herself. The loss will sting, but it underlines how small tactical shifts — taking initiative on the third shot, attacking wider returns — change outcomes in a flash.

Prediction: Gauff heads into the next round as a favorite, and opponents will need a game plan richer than power alone to unsettle her. The Guru’s recommendation: attack her second serve, avoid lengthy baseline forgiveness, and pressure her feet early — but expect Gauff to adjust and keep advancing unless she makes unforced concessions.