American history made at the Cincinnati Open as 16-year drought comes to an end

The second final-four clash will be an all-American affair between Frances Tiafoe and a much-improved Brandon Nakashima.

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Nakashima, who made the semifinals in Washington and the final in Montreal, defeated Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open.

Tiafoe then battled past Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets to set up the semifinal clash with his compatriot.

Frances Tiafoe’s win confirms American history is made

Nakashima’s match with Tiafoe will mark the first time in 16 years that two Americans will face each other in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open.

It last occurred at the 2010 edition of the tournament, where Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish went toe-to-toe.

Fish, a wildcard that year, ultimately beat Roddick before going on to lose to Roger Federer in the final.

Tiafoe and Nakashima have played each other seven times before on the ATP Tour, and the head-to-head is fairly lopsided.

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Tiafoe leads 6-1, with Nakashima’s sole triumph in the rivalry coming at the 2024 Japan Open.

The two have only met twice at ATP Masters 1000 level, both clashes occurring in 2022.

That year, Tiafoe beat Nakashima at both the Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open.

Prize money for the semifinalists at the Cincinnati Open

Fils, Cobolli, Nakashima and Tiafoe have all guaranteed themselves at least $340,190 for reaching the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open.

All four of them have also guaranteed at least 400 ATP points.

Finalists at the 2026 Cincinnati Open will be awarded $612,340 in prize money and a total of 650 ATP points.

But the champion will receive a cheque for $1,151,380, while also gaining 1000 ATP points.

None of the four semifinalists in Cincinnati has any points left to defend for the remainder of the tournament.