Arthur Fils won the biggest title of his career on Sunday afternoon, taking down Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 in the final of the Cincinnati Open. It was a rapid-fire, see-saw affair that lasted only one hour and 28 minutes despite requiring three sets.
The Frenchman had already captured two ATP 500 titles, but he was playing in his first Masters 1000 final. Tiafoe was competing in his second Masters championship match and also his second in Cincinnati, having previously finished runner-up to Jannik Sinner in 2024.
Thus continues a red-hot hard-court summer for Fils, who was a quarterfinalist in Montreal. The 22-year-old is now 5-2 all time in ATP finals and he will climb to No. 11 in the world on Monday.
“That feels good,” Fils said during his on-court interview. “A lot of training, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of injuries…. To be able to win a title like this, it means a lot to me…. I started very strong; in the second set I lost a little bit of focus. I had a small talk with [myself], a look at myself in the mirror…. I don’t have any words to describe (it). It feels so good — a little bit of relief, as well.”
“I want to congratulate Arthur,” Tiafoe commented during the trophy ceremony. “Hell of a week, brother…. It’s been a hell of a week (for me). Obviously I didn’t even think I was going to play. To make the final, we take that.”
The 28-year-old American fell to 4-9 lifetime in ATP finals. He was a question mark to even play this event after having cyst removed from his right hand two weeks ago. Tiafoe will rise to 12th in the world on Monday.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on Twitter at @Dimonator.