Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka lift titles at Cincinnati Open

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and women's No. 2 Ayrna Sabalenka earned straight-set victories in the finals of the Cincinnati Open, the first titles at the tournament for both players.

Sabalenka on Monday defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3 7-5 for her first title since the Australian Open in January.

Sinner, who turned 23 on Friday, beat American Frances Tiafoe 7-6(4) 6-2 to become the youngest Cincinnati champion since 21-year-old Andy Murray won in 2008.

"I'm very happy to be in the position where I am," Sinner said.

"I'm just trying to keep going this way mentally. It's important to recover to be ready for New York. That's the most important thing."

The US Open begins on August 26 in New York.

Sinner and Tiafoe were both playing in their first Cincinnati finals with their previous best results being the third round.

Tiafoe forced a tiebreak in the first set, but three straight errors led to a 7-6 defeat.

Sinner had a 5-1 lead in the second before Tiafoe saved three match points to make