France's Arthur Fils beats American Frances Tiafoe in 3 sets to win the Cincinnati Open
French tennis player Arthur Fils defeated American Frances Tiafoe to win his first Masters 1000 title at the Cincinnati Open. The match was historic as the first ATP Masters 1000 final between two Black players.
Why it matters
This victory marks a significant milestone in professional tennis history regarding diversity and highlights the rise of a new generation of talent.
MASON, Ohio (AP) — Arthur Fils of France defeated American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 to capture his first Masters 1000 title Sunday at the Cincinnati Open.
It 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."
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