The China Mail - Fils tops Tiafoe to claim first ATP Masters title in Cincinnati bb/amz

The 22-year-old bagged his biggest career title and, with the US Open starting in one week, he is projected to jump from 21st in the world rankings to a career-high 11th.

Fils swept through the opening set, dropping just three points behind his serve. Tiafoe turned the tables as Fils's errors mounted in the second, but after receiving treatment before the third set Tiafoe was no match for the surging Frenchman in the third.

He saved two match points in the final game, but Fils set up another with a lob and was able to celebrate as Tiafoe sent a forehand over the baseline to end it after 98 minutes.

Fils blazed through the opening games, breaking Tiafoe on the way to a 3-0 lead and dropping just one point in the first three games.

He dictated the rallies from the baseline and even as Tiafoe began to find his range the American was unable to apply any pressure on Fils's serve, Fils finishing 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 roared to a 3-0 lead.

The American grabbed all of his chances to level the match after just 54 minutes, but he then called for the trainer for a massage on his right hip which has bothered him in recent weeks.

Fils regrouped to dominate again, breaking Tiafoe twice for a 4-0 lead in a storming finish.

The result marked the second time that Tiafoe has lost a final in Cincinnati. He fell to Jannik Sinner in 2024.

D.Peng--ThChM