Pegula's three-hour epic sets up all‑US final

Jessica Pegula secured her place in the final of the Cincinnati Open after an intense three-hour battle against six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek. The match, which saw 13 breaks of serve, concluded with Pegula claiming victory 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

Competing in the all-American women's final for the first time in 56 years will be Pegula and rising star Coco Gauff, who had earlier defeated unseeded Sara Bejlek 6-4, 6-1. The match's emotional rollercoaster saw Pegula reflect on the challenging nature of the contest, noting that emotions can become draining during such high-pressure situations.

In the men's draw, Frances Tiafoe, the winner of a 7-5, 6-3 victory over fellow American Brandon Nakashima, will face Arthur Fils of France in the ATP Masters 1000 final. This matchup will mark the first time two black players have competed in such a high-profile final. Tiafoe expressed his excitement about the historic nature of the clash, emphasizing the significance of having more players of color represented in these prestigious tournaments.

He added that achieving more big finals with diverse participants is truly inspiring and something he is incredibly enthusiastic about.