Jannik Sinner beat Frances Tiafoe in straight units within the Cincinnati Open remaining because the world No 1 discovered his finest kind forward of the US Open and the ultimate Grand Slam of the yr.
Sinner began the season by securing his first slam title on the Australian Open however has struggled with a hip damage over the previous couple of months and missed the Paris Olympics with tonsillitis.
The 23-year-old was seen limping at phases throughout a fiercely-fought opening set that went the Italian’s manner earlier than he in the end ran away with the match, profitable 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.
American residence favorite Tiafoe will rue spurning two break level alternatives within the opening recreation of the match, with a 3rd alternative later within the set additionally passing him by.
Sinner would go on to punish his opponent by taking the primary set tie-break earlier than incomes a right away break of serve to begin the second.
Not lengthy after, the rating was 4-1 after Sinner snaffled up a double break with a thunderous forehand winner down the road.
He’d have three match factors when up 0-40 in Tiafoe’s subsequent service recreation however would fail to covert any of them as the favored American not less than pressured Sinner to serve it out – which he duly did to take the title.
It is Sinner’s third Masters 1000 win and his second this yr, having additionally received the Miami Open which catapulted him to the highest of the world rankings, coming quickly after securing his maiden slam in Australia.
Having solely turned 23 on Friday, Sinner is the youngest males’s champion in Cincinnati since a sure 21-year-old Andy Murray received the event in 2008.
“It was a very difficult week, tough week. I’m very happy about today’s match,” Sinner stated afterwards.
“It was very tough mentally… we both felt a lot of tension, but I’m very glad about the level I played, especially in the important moments.”
Throwing it ahead to the US Open, he added: “Now, for sure, it’s important to recover, to be to be ready for New York.
“I am very blissful to be ready the place I’m and simply attempting to maintain going mentally with this starvation to maintain taking part in.”
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