World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka triumphed in the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open finals after overcoming rivals Frances Tiafoe and Jessica Pegula respectively. Sinner defeated Tiafoe in straight sets of 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 while Pegula was defeated 6-3, 7-5.
After a tense first set that required a tie-break to decide, Sinner surged ahead, capitalizing on key moments to dominate the second set. His victory marks a significant achievement, making him the youngest men's champion in Cincinnati since Andy Murray, who won at 21 in 2008.
“This week was very challenging both physically and mentally,” Sinner admitted post-match. “I'm really pleased with how I performed today, especially under the circumstances. We were both quite fatigued from our semi-final matches, but I managed to elevate my game when it mattered most.”
Sinner’s triumph in Cincinnati adds to an already impressive 2024 season, which includes victories at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, and Halle. His performance at the Lindner Family Tennis Center solidifies his position as the top player in the ATP Rankings and extends his lead in the ATP Live Race To Turin.
Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe, who was playing in his first Masters 1000 final, will reflect on a week of impressive performances, including a notable run to the final with victories over three Top 20 players. Despite falling short in the final, Tiafoe’s progress under new coach David Witt has been significant.
In the women’s category, Aryna Sabalenka secured her first title since January’s Australian Open by defeating Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5 in the Cincinnati Open final. The Belarusian, who missed Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury, demonstrated her strength throughout the tournament, not dropping a set.
Sabalenka’s victory comes as a boost ahead of the US Open, where she will rise to No. 2 in the world rankings. The 26-year-old’s dominant performance, including a semi-final win over top-ranked Iga Swiatek, highlights her readiness for the final Grand Slam of the year.
“This win is very significant for me, especially after recovering from injury,” Sabalenka said. “I’m proud of how I managed to stay focused and handle the emotions of the week.”
