Jannik Sinner defeats Frances Tiafoe in straight sets for first Cincinnati Open title

Posted by author August 20, 2024 Tennis

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MASON, Ohio — Jannik Sinner watched as the final ball dropped wide of the line and slowly raised his arms in the air, celebrating his first Cincinnati Open title with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 defeat of Frances Tiafoe.

Last summer came to be known as the ‘Summer of Coco’ after WTA No. 3 Coco Gauff won in Washington, D.C., Cincinnati and the U.S. Open. This year is shaping up to be the ‘Year of Jannik’. After his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, Sinner claimed titles in Rotterdam, Miami and Halle to become the world’s top-ranked player. He now owns two ATP Masters 1000 titles this year while also improving to 28-2 on hard courts in 2024.

The victory didn’t come easily as neither player broke serve in a 55-minute first set. Sinner came out with a fire in his eyes in the second set, breaking Tiafoe twice on his way to a 4-1 lead. Two sets later, he simply overpowered his opponent, winning four straight points to claim the Rookwood Cup.

In possibly the windiest conditions of the week, Sinner served up 13 aces, won 85 percent of his first serve points and 76 percent of his second serve points. All three of those numbers bested his average from his previous three matches.

Tiafoe appeared in his first career ATP Masters 1000 less than 24 hours after fighting off two match points to defeat Holger Rune in Sunday’s semifinal. He is the first American to appear in the Cincinnati Open final since John Isner in 2013. Andy Roddick remains the last American to win the Cincinnati Open title, doing so in 2006.

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