Jannik Sinner triumphed over Frances Tiafoe in straight sets during the Cincinnati Open final, showcasing his return to top form just in time for the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year.
The 23-year-old Italian began the season by clinching his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open but faced challenges due to a hip injury that hindered his performance in recent months and forced him to miss the Paris Olympics due to tonsillitis.
Despite occasionally limping during the intensely contested opening set, Sinner secured the first set with a tie-break victory, ultimately winning the match 7-6 (7-4) 6-2. Tiafoe, the home favorite, had multiple chances to break Sinner’s serve but was unable to capitalize, a missed opportunity that would prove costly.
Sinner swiftly established control in the second set, breaking Tiafoe’s serve early and extending his lead to 4-1 with an impressive double break. Although Tiafoe managed to push Sinner to three match points in his next service game, Sinner ultimately held his nerve and served out the match to claim the title.
With this victory, Sinner secures his third Masters 1000 title, following his Miami Open win earlier this year, which elevated him to the top of the world rankings. His latest success makes him the youngest men’s champion in Cincinnati since Andy Murray claimed the title at the age of 21 in 2008.
Reflecting on his performance, Sinner stated, “It was a very difficult week, tough week. I’m very happy about today’s match. It was very tough mentally… we both felt a lot of tension, but I’m very glad about the level I played, especially in the important moments.”
Looking ahead to the US Open, he emphasized the need for recovery to prepare for the competition in New York: “I’m very happy to be in a position where I am and just trying to keep going mentally with this hunger to keep playing.”
