Gauff and Fils Clinch Cincinnati Open Titles Ahead of US Open

Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 in the women's final of the Cincinnati Open, securing her second title at the tournament just one week before the US Open begins in New York.

In the men's draw, France's Arthur Fils rallied past American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 to capture his first Masters 1000 title. Sunday's final also marked the first time two Black players met in an ATP Masters 1000 championship.

Gauff, who won Cincinnati in 2023 before claiming her first Grand Slam at the US Open that year, started impressively, racing to a 5-0 lead in the first set and closing it out 6-2. Pegula fought back in the second set, pulling within 5-4, but Gauff sealed the victory, converting five of six break points.

This was the first all-American women's final in Cincinnati since 1970, when Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey. Pegula's best result in Cincinnati came in 2024, when she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

In Saturday's semifinals, Pegula eliminated defending champion Iga Swiatek, while Gauff beat Sara Bejlek to set up the first all-American final in 56 years.

“I think it's been a long journey, but I'm really happy,” Gauff said after the match. “I think I'm a different player than I was last year. I don't think this win is a sign that I'm going to play well in New York. Just knowing that I've had quality matches this week, hopefully I can use that experience.” Gauff won all five of her matches in Cincinnati without dropping a set.

“I think she played at a very high level and barely had any lapses,” Pegula said. “I don't think I played badly. The more you build points against her, the worse it gets, because she almost enjoys running. Today was tough. A dangerous and confident Coco is going to New York.”

The head-to-head record between Gauff and Pegula now stands at 5-5. Sunday's match was their second meeting in a final, with Gauff winning last year in Wuhan.

For Fils, he became the third Black player to win a Masters 1000 title, joining Ben Shelton – who has won twice in Canada – and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who won Paris in 2008 and Canada in 2014. At 22, Fils is the youngest French champion in Masters 1000 history. He is also the second French player to win Cincinnati, after Guy Forget in 1991.

“I'm very happy about it,” Fils said. “Last year was a tough year. I missed the French Open because of a hip injury. I lost early in Washington. People thought I was finished. But here we are, I have a title.”

This was Tiafoe's second appearance in the Cincinnati final, having lost to Jannik Sinner in 2024. He was aiming to become the first American man to win the tournament since Andy Roddick in 2006.

Tiafoe saved three championship points in the final game before Fils closed out the win. The Frenchman hit 11 aces and won 71% of his first-serve points. He improved to a perfect 10-0 in deciding sets this season and 8-0 against American opponents. Fils also beat Tiafoe in their only previous meeting last year in Miami, also in three sets.

“It feels great to have a trophy, especially a Masters 1000,” Fils said. “I had never won a title before. You just have to stay positive and find a way to make things work. This positivity will help me in the coming weeks at the US Open.”