Is there beef between Jannik Sinner and Frances Tiafoe?

Frances Tiafoe wasn’t among the favourites to reach the final of the 2024 Cincinnati Open but will go in search of his third victory on the ATP Tour on Monday when he takes on world number one Jannik Sinner. Could sparks fly in the match between the pair, who had a previous run-in at the 2021 Vienna Open?

What happened between Tiafoe and Sinner at the 2021 Vienna Open?

In the semifinals of that tournament, the Italian took the first set and was 3-0 up in the second, even serving for the match at 5-3. The American turned to gamesmanship in a desperate attempt to turn things around, taking his time to get in position, high-fiving people in the crowed after winning points and even speaking while Sinner was serving.

After Tiafoe had completed his comeback, Sinner, despite calling himself “a big fan” of his opponent, lashed out: “Tiafoe went too far, he did too much. It is one thing when the player tries to put on a show to put on a bit of a show, but it is quite another when you start to show disrespect.”

The Marylander, however, leapt to his own defence. “I don’t really feel bad for that. Look, I mean the crowd is there for a reason. I’m able to interact with them, I’m able to do whatever. I don’t feel bad for that. I think he definitely had a chance to win the match regardless. I used them to get on my side and I started playing great tennis, but ultimately I was just having fun out there and it went my way”.

Tiafoe praise for Sinner

But that flashpoint has been the exception rather than the rule when it comes to the duo.

In that very same press conference, Tiafoe expressed his view that Sinner would go on to become a Grand Slam champion, which he has done, and “probably a Hall of Famer”. The 26-year-old also revealed they “get along really well”.

With Tiafoe unseeded in Cincinnati, few would have bet on him getting to the final, especially given his drop from 10th to 27th in the world in the space of 14 months. Wins over 14th seed Lorenzo Musetti, fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz (who retired after losing the first set) and 15th seed Holger Rune will have boosted his belief, although taking on the world number one and reigning Australian Open champion will be another challenge entirely.

When is the 2024 Cincinnati Open final between Tiafoe and Sinner?

First serve in the 2024 Cincinnati Open men’s final won’t be before 6pm ET. In the unlikely event that the women’s match, which starts at 3pm ET, lasts longer than three hours, Tiafoe and Sinner will get underway a little later than scheduled.