In a historic showdown at the
Fils Makes History
With this victory, Fils joins an elite group as the third Black man to win a Masters 1000 title, following in the footsteps of Ben Shelton, who has two titles from Canada, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who claimed victories in Paris in 2008 and Canada in 2014. The 22-year-old Fils not only made history with his win but also became the youngest French champion in the history of the Masters 1000 series. He is now the second French player to win the Cincinnati Open, a feat previously accomplished by Guy Forget in 1991.
Tiafoe, who was competing in his second Cincinnati Open final after losing to Jannik Sinner in 2024, started the match on a shaky note. Fils quickly established dominance, winning 12 of the first 13 points to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the opening set. However, Tiafoe rebounded in the second set, showcasing his resilience by racing to a 3-0 lead of his own.
Decisive Third Set
As the match progressed into the third set, Tiafoe took a moment to stretch and receive treatment for discomfort in his upper left leg and lower back. Despite his efforts, Fils maintained his momentum, ultimately saving two match points in a tense final game before sealing his victory. Throughout the match, Fils demonstrated impressive skill, recording 11 aces and winning 71% of his first serve points. His performance this year has been remarkable, boasting a perfect 10-0 record in deciding sets and an 8-0 record against American players.
Fils had previously faced Tiafoe in Miami last year, where he also emerged victorious in a three-set match. This latest win not only cements Fils' rising status in the tennis world but also sets the stage for an exciting future in the sport.
