08/23/26 05:24:00
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08/23 17:22 CDT France's Arthur Fils beats American Frances Tiafoe in 3 sets to
win the Cincinnati Open
France's Arthur Fils beats American Frances Tiafoe in 3 sets to win the
Cincinnati Open
By JEFF WALLNER
Associated Press
MASON, Ohio (AP) --- Arthur Fils of France defeated American Frances Tiafoe
6-3, 1-6, 6-0 to capture his first Masters 1000 title Sunday at the Cincinnati
Open.
It was the first time two Black players have met in an ATP Masters 1000 final.
Fils is the third Black man to win a Masters 1000 title, joining Ben Shelton,
who won twice in Canada, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who won in Paris in 2008 and
Canada in 2014.
It was the second time Tiafoe has appeared in the Cincinnati Open final, losing
to Jannik Sinner in 2024.
Fils overpowered Tiafoe early in the first set on Sunday, winning 12 of 13
points to take a 3-0 lead. Tiafoe was dominant in the second, rolling to a 3-0
lead.
Tiafoe used the time break before the third set to stretch and receive massage
treatment on his upper left leg and lower back. Tiafoe saved two match points
in the final game before Fils closed out the victory.
The Frenchman had 11 aces and won 71% of his points on first serve. He improved
to 10-0 in deciding sets this year and 8-0 against American opponents.
Fils won his only previous meeting with Tiafoe in Miami last year, also in
three sets.
Fils, 22, is the youngest French champion in Masters 1000 history. He became
the second French player to win a Cincinnati final, joining Guy Forget in 1991.
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