Sinner the man to beat after Cincinnati win while Sabalenka stays red-hot

Sinner beats home hope Frances Tiafoe 7-6(4), 6-2 in men’s final.

Italy's Jannik Sinner clenches his fist. Pic: Christophe Ena/AP

Men’s world No 1 Jannik Sinner beat Frances Tiafoe 7-6(4), 6-2 in the Cincinnati Open, showing that despite recent health struggles he will still be the man to beat at the upcoming US Open in New York, while Aryna Sabalenka harnessed her powerful serve to subdue American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5 in the women’s final in Ohio.

The 23-year-old Sinner, who has been struggling over the last couple months with a hip issue and who missed the Paris Olympics due to tonsillitis, was error-prone to start the contest and came up limping after several points in the tight first set.