As the final major stop before the US Open, the 2026 Cincinnati Open delivered ten days of high-stakes drama, massive upsets, and history-making triumphs across both the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 fields.
MEN’S SINGLES: ARTHUR FILS CLAIMS HISTORIC MAIDEN MASTERS 1000 CROWN
The men’s draw witnessed the crowning of a new tennis king. In a thrilling, rollercoaster championship match, 22-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils defeated American home favorite Frances Tiafoe in three sets: 6-3, 1-6, 6-0.
Fils showcased incredible resilience, completely dominating the first and deciding third sets to capture the Rookwood Cup.
This victory marks a monumental milestone in the young Frenchman’s career, especially following a tough year plagued by back and hip injuries.
- Maiden Masters 1000 Title: This is the first-ever ATP Masters 1000 title and final of Fils’ career.
- Breaking a 35-Year French Drought: Fils became the first Frenchman to win the Cincinnati singles title since Guy Forget in 1991.
- Ending a National Wait: He is the first French player to secure any Masters 1000 trophy since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s Toronto victory in 2014.
- Ranking Surge: With this victory, Fils leaps 10 spots to a career-high world ranking of No. 11.
“When you get injured, to just think about coming back and for this moment, it feels very good to have a trophy next to me,” Fils stated during his post-match press conference.
WOMEN’S SINGLES: COCO GAUFF REIGNS SUPREME AS TWO-TIME CHAMPION
On the WTA side, the all-American final brought the crowd to its feet as world No. 4 Coco Gauff faced off against world No. 3 Jessica Pegula.
Gauff put on a masterclass of creativity, speed, and baseline control to defend her status in Mason, capturing the title with a straight-sets victory of 6-2, 6-4. Pegula reached the final after a stunning, physical semifinal where she dethroned the top seed, Iga Swiatek.
However, Gauff proved too strong in the final, showing peak form just days before her journey to New York.
- Two-Time Cincinnati Champion: Gauff successfully solidified her dominance on the Ohio hard courts.
- Flawless Tactical Execution: Gauff dominated her service games, winning 77% of her first-serve points during the final match.
- Peak Momentum: Gauff enters the upcoming US Open with maximum confidence and zero signs of the fatigue that affected other top seeds.
FACTS FROM CINCINNATI OPEN 2026
- Injuries and Withdrawals: The 2026 edition saw major pre-tournament shakeups, with superstars Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Emma Raducanu, and Jasmine Paolini all withdrawing due to late-summer injuries.
- American Drought Continues: Despite heavy crowd support and strong runs by Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, and Brandon Nakashima, the US men’s drought in Mason extends past the two-decade mark (the last American man to lift the trophy was Andy Roddick in 2006).
- Next Destination: All champions and runners-up now head directly to New York for the main draw of the US Open, commencing on August 30, 2026.
The unforgettable drama in Mason has set the perfect stage for the grandest event of the summer, as the world’s elite now head to New York for the main draw of the US Open, officially kicking off on August 31, 2026.