Jannik Sinner defeated Frances Tiafoe in the final of the Cincinnati Open in straight sets, returning to his best form ahead of the US Open and the last Grand Slam of the year.
Sinner began the season with his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, but has struggled with a hip injury in recent months and missed the Paris Olympics due to tonsillitis.
The 23-year-old limped at times in the hard-fought first set, which the Italian won, before finally winning the match 7:6 (7:4), 6:2.
American favorite Tiafoe will regret wasting two break points in the opening game of the match, and a third chance later in the set also eluded him.
Sinner punished his opponent by taking the first set tiebreak before earning an immediate break at the start of the second set.
Not long after, the score was 4-1 after Sinner scored a double break with a thunderous forehand shot down the line.
At 0-40 in Tiafoe’s next service game, he had three match points but was unable to convert any of them as the popular American at least forced Sinner to hit the ball out, which he did to take the title.
For Sinner, this is already his third victory at a Masters 1000 and his second this year. Shortly before, he had already won the Miami Open, which catapulted him to the top of the world rankings, shortly after he secured his first Grand Slam title in Australia.
Sinner turned just 23 on Friday, making him the youngest male champion in Cincinnati since 21-year-old Andy Murray won the tournament in 2008.
“It was a very difficult week, a tough week. I am very happy about today’s game,” Sinner said afterwards.
“It was very tough mentally… we both felt a lot of tension, but I am very happy with my level of play, especially in the important moments.”
Looking ahead to the US Open, he added: “Now it is of course important to recover and be ready for New York.”
“I’m very happy to be in the position I’m in and just try to keep going mentally and have the hunger to keep playing.”
What’s next on Sky Sports Tennis?
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- Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250) – June 18-24 August
- Tennis in the country, Cleveland (WTA 250) – 18.-24. August
- Abierto GNP Seguros, Monterrey (WTA 500) – 19-24. August
- US Open (ATP/WTA) – August 26th – September 8th
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