World No. 1 Jannik Sinner secured his third ATP Masters 1000 title by defeating Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in the Cincinnati Open final on Monday. The Italian top seed, who started the match cautiously, eventually broke away in the second set to claim victory. This win marks Sinner's 15th career title and his fifth of the 2024 season, following his Australian Open triumph earlier in the year.
Tiafoe, who demonstrated resilience throughout the match, struggled after losing the first-set tiebreaker. Despite his fading performance, the American, who has now entered the top 20 in the rankings, managed to save three match points before Sinner sealed the win. The match highlighted Sinner's ability to maintain composure under pressure, particularly in critical moments.
Sinner's victory at Cincinnati serves as a strong preparation for the upcoming US Open, starting on August 26. The 23-year-old Italian, who holds a lead of over 2,000 points ahead of world No. 2 Novak Djokovic, expressed his satisfaction with his performance but emphasized the importance of recovery before the Grand Slam. His confidence is high, and he aims to continue his strong form in New York.
In the final, Sinner struck 29 winners, including 13 aces, and managed to break Tiafoe twice from eight opportunities. The match, which featured a grueling opening set and a prolonged second set with multiple deuces, saw Sinner's perseverance pay off. Tiafoe acknowledged his exhaustion and praised Sinner's performance at the net post-match. Sinner's win makes him the youngest Cincinnati champion since Andy Murray in 2008.
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