World number one Yannick Sinner is in top form ahead of the US Open and the final Grand Slam of the year, having defeated Francis Tiafoe in straight sets in the Cincinnati Open final.
Sinner began the season by winning her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open but has struggled with a hip injury in the past few months and also missed the Paris Olympics because of tonsillitis.
The 23-year-old was seen limping before the Italian emerged victorious in a close contest, but he eventually won 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.
Tiafoe, the US home team favourite, will likely regret missing two break point opportunities in the first game of the match, before missing a third opportunity later in the set.
Sinner punished her opponent by taking the first set tiebreak before immediately getting a break of serve to start the second set.
Soon after, Sinner grabbed a double break with a powerful forehand winner to make the score 4-1.
He had three match points in Tiafoe's next service game to lead 0-40, but failed to convert any of them as the popular American forced Sinner to at least serve, ultimately taking the title.
Sinner won his third Masters 1000 title, his second this year. He rose to world No. 1 after winning the Miami Open, and it was not long before he won his first Grand Slam in Australia.
Sinner, who turned just 23 on Friday, becomes the youngest male champion in Cincinnati since Andy Murray won at age 21 in 2008.
“It's been a very tough week. It's been a tough week. I'm very happy about the game today,” Sinner said after the game.
“It was really tough mentally… we were both very nervous, but I'm very happy with the level I showed, especially at the key moments.”
“It's important to recover now and prepare for the New York games,” he added, revealing his outlook for the US Open.
“I'm very happy with where I am now and I'm trying to keep working mentally with that thirst to keep playing.”
What matches are on Sky Sports Tennis?
Watch all the famous tennis stars play as they prepare for the US Open, the last Grand Slam of 2024. Live on Sky Sports They compete throughout the hardcourt season.
- Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250) – August 18-24
- Tennis in the Land, Cleveland (WTA 250) – August 18-24
- GNP Seguros Open, Monterrey (WTA 500) – August 19-24
- US Open (ATP/WTA) – August 26 – September 8
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