Fils dominates Tiafoe for biggest career title win

Arthur Fils claimed the first Masters title of his career on Sunday with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 defeat of Frances Tiafoe to win the Cincinnati trophy, sealing it on his third match point..

The 22-year-old is the first Frenchman to lift the prestigious title since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Toronto a dozen years ago.

Fils swept the opening set but was overpowered by Tiafoe in the second before coming back strong in the third set.

Fils set up the third match winner with a lob and benefitted as his opponent sent a return long over the baseline to win in 98 minutes.

Fis blazed through the opening games, breaking Tiafoe for 2-0 and winning the first seven points of the final.

His momentum barely slowed as he established a 5-2 lead and finished off the opening set in 29 minutes with his eighth ace.

Fils suffered his first setback in the second set,saving three break points in the second game but firing a forehand long on a fourth as Tiafoe took a 2-0 lead.

The American grabbed all of his chances as he ran to a 6-1 win to level at a set apiece as skies darkened overhead after just 54 minutes on court.

Tiafoe took the opportunity to call for the trainer for a massage on the right hip which has bothered him in recent weeks.

Fils regrouped to star the third set, breaking Tiafoe for 2-0 and again for 4-0 as his intensity kept rising with the finishing line in sight.

“I started the first set very very strong,” Fills said.

“In the second set I lost a bit of focus, he put me under pressure.

“But I had a small talk with myself in front of the mirror after the second set. I said ‘if you are going to lose, it cannot get worse than this. You need to fight.

“I don’t have any words to describe this win. There is a bit of relief. It was a hell of a week.”

“The result marked the second time that Tiafoe has lost in a final here after going out to Jannik Sinner in 2024.

Main photo:- Arthur ‘Fils celebrates victory in Cincy – by ATPTour.com