By JEFF WALLNER Associated Press
MASON, Ohio (AP) — Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula, 6-2, 6-4, to capture her second women’s Cincinnati Open title on Sunday, and Arthur Fils of France defeated American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 1-6, 6-0, in the men’s final for his first Masters 1000 title.
In Saturday’s semifinals, Pegula beat defending champion Iga Swiatek and Gauff defeated Sara Bejlek to set up the first all-American women’s final at the Cincinnati Open in 56 years.
The last time two American women played in the Cincinnati final was in 1970, when Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey.
Pegula’s best finish in Cincinnati came in 2024, when she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Gauff, who won the 2023 title beating Karolina Muchova, stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the first set on Sunday before winning 6-2. Pegula battled back to within 5-4 in the second before Gauff closed out the win. Gauff won five of six break points.
“I think it was a long journey, but I’m happy,” Gauff said. “I think it’s night and day, the player I was last year to now. I don’t think that this is an indicator that I’m going to do well in New York. Just knowing the quality ones that I had this week, hopefully I can use that experience.”
Gauff had five wins in straight sets in Cincinnati.
“I thought she just played at a really high level and didn’t really have many dips,” Pegula said. “I didn’t really think I played bad. The more you construct the point (against her), the worse it is because she almost likes to run. It was tough today. A dangerous, confident Coco is going to New York.”
The head-to-head series between Gauff and Pegula is now tied at five apiece. Sunday was their second meeting in a final, with Gauff winning at Wuhan last year.
The Fils-Tiafoe match was the first time two Black players have met in an ATP Masters 1000 final.
Fils is the third Black man to win a Masters 1000 title, joining Ben Shelton, who won twice in Canada, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who won in Paris in 2008 and Canada in 2014.
At 22 years old, Fils is the youngest French champion in Masters 1000 history. He became the second French player to win a Cincinnati final, joining Guy Forget in 1991.
“Very happy with that,” Fils said. “It’s been a tough last year. I didn’t play the French Open (due to a hip injury). I lost early in Washington. People think that I’m done. But here we are. I got the title.”
It was the second time Tiafoe has appeared in the Cincinnati Open final, losing to Jannik Sinner in 2024. He was looking to become the first American male to win in Cincinnati since Andy Roddick in 2006.
“I’m going to have two Cincinnati finals trophies at the crib,” Tiafoe said. “I wish they were both champion ones. Losing on Sunday sucks. I’ve had a tough summer. I was able to play five great matches and beat quality players.”
Fils overpowered Tiafoe early in the first set on Sunday, winning 12 of 13 points to take a 3-0 lead. Tiafoe was dominant in the second, rolling to a 3-0 lead.
Tiafoe used the time break before the third set to stretch and receive massage treatment on his upper left leg and lower back.
“My hip bothered me a little bit, but that’s neither here nor there,” Tiafoe said. “It’s not about how I feel. I’ll be alright in a week (for the US Open).”
Tiafoe saved three championship points in the final game before Fils closed out the victory.
The Frenchman had 11 aces and won 71% of his points on first serve. He improved to 10-0 in deciding sets this year and 8-0 against American opponents.
Fils also won his only previous meeting with Tiafoe in Miami last year, also in three sets.
“It feels very good to have a trophy next to me, especially Masters 1000,” Fils said. “Never won one before. You just have to stay positive and find a way to make it work. Being positive is going to help me in the next weeks in the US Open.”
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