Arthur Fils and Frances Tiafoe will contest the 2026 Cincinnati Open final after both produced straight-set victories in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Fils continued the best Masters 1000 run of his career by overpowering Flavio Cobolli to reach his maiden final at this level, while Tiafoe ended Brandon Nakashima’s outstanding North American hard-court swing to return to the Cincinnati championship match for the second time in three years.
Sunday’s final guarantees a new Masters 1000 champion and provides one last opportunity to build momentum ahead of the US Open which is wide open given Jannik Sinner withdrew earlier this week.
Day Ten Cincinnati Open Semifinal Results
Key Match Recap
Arthur Fils def. Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-4
Arthur Fils ended Flavio Cobolli’s impressive Cincinnati run and booked the first Masters 1000 final of his career.
After an early rain and lightning delay pushed back the start, Cobolli struck first with an early break, but Fils settled quickly and completely swung the momentum.
From 3-3 in the opening set, the Frenchman dominated the longer rallies, found his rhythm behind serve and rarely looked troubled thereafter.
Fils was simply too powerful from the baseline, winning 82% of points behind his first serve and converting three of his four break-point opportunities.
Cobolli played one of his best Masters 1000s and, after making back-to-back Slam Finals, will rise to a career-high No. 6, but he had no answer once Fils hit top gear.
Match Stats
Frances Tiafoe def. Brandon Nakashima 7-5, 6-3
Frances Tiafoe ended Brandon Nakashima’s US Open Series run to reach his second Cincinnati final in three years.
The opening set was close. After four consecutive breaks early on, Nakashima looked poised to take control when he held three set points at 5-4. Tiafoe responded brilliantly, saving two with brave forehand winners before escaping the game and immediately swinging the momentum in his favour.
Once he had stolen the opening set, Tiafoe looked the fresher player. He dictated with his forehand, attacked whenever the opportunity presented itself and completed the victory in straight sets to improve to 7-1 against Nakashima.
Nakashima’s run ends with another excellent week following his Montreal final, but Tiafoe has rediscovered some of his best hard-court tennis and now stands one win away from the biggest title of his career.
Can he do it? I make Fils the 65/35 favourite. You wouldn’t want either of them playing tennis if your life depended on it but I think Fils will just be a bit more reliable on Sunday.
Match Stats
Highlights
Cincinnati Open Day Eleven Final
- Arthur Fils (21) vs Frances Tiafoe (17)
