The 22-year-old bagged his biggest career title and, with the US Open starting in one week, he is projected to jump from 21st in the world rankings to a career-high 11th.
Fils was on his phone to his parents only seconds after securing the victory, calling his father back home after becoming the first French player to win a Masters 1000 since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Toronto in 2014.
“That was my dad on the phone, now I need to call my mom,” the delighted winner said at the trophy ceremony, lamenting only that his father missed one of his tournaments for the first time this year.
“Wow, that feels good, that feels good,” Fils said. “It’s a lot of training, a lot of things, a lot of sacrifice.
“Injury,” added Fils, who missed much of 2025 with a back injury and months this year with a hip ailment. “To be able to win one title like this means a lot to me.”
Fils was also aware of the fact that it was the first time two Black players have met in an ATP Masters 1000 final, and he told Tennis Channel he hoped it could inspire others.
“If they can watch us playing some great final like this and they can dream about it, it’s nice,” he said.
Fils swept through the opening set, dropping just three points behind his serve. Tiafoe turned the tables as Fils’ errors mounted in the second, but after receiving treatment before the third set Tiafoe was no match for the surging Frenchman in the third.
Tiafoe saved two match points in the final game, but Fils set up another with a lob and was able to celebrate as Tiafoe sent a forehand over the baseline to end it after 98 minutes. (AFP)
