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08/23 19:22 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.
At 22 years old, Fils 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.
"Very happy with that," Fils said. "It's been a tough last year. I didn't play
the French Open (due to a hip injury). I lost early in Washington. People think
that I'm done. But here we are. I got the title."
It was the second time Tiafoe has appeared in the Cincinnati Open final, losing
to Jannik Sinner in 2024. He was looking to become the first American male to
win in Cincinnati since Andy Roddick in 2006.
"I'm going to have two Cincinnati finals trophies at the crib," Tiafoe said. "I
wish they were both champion ones. Losing on Sunday sucks. I've had a tough
summer. I was able to play five great matches and beat quality players."
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.
"My hip bothered me a little bit, but that's neither here nor there," Tiafoe
said. "It's not about how I feel. I'll be alright in a week (for the US Open)."
Tiafoe saved three championship 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 also won his only previous meeting with Tiafoe in Miami last year, also in
three sets.
"It feels very good to have a trophy next to me, especially Masters 1000," Fils
said. "Never won one before. You just have to stay positive and find a way to
make it work. Being positive is going to help me in the next weeks in the US
Open."
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See AP's full tennis coverage here
