Arthur Fils defeated Frances Tiafoe in the final, 6–3, 1–6, 6–0, to win the men's singles title at the 2026 Cincinnati Open. This victory marked Fils's first ATP Masters 1000 title and his fifth career ATP Tour title overall. He became the first Frenchman to win the Cincinnati Open since Guy Forget in 1991, and the first French player to claim a Masters title since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the 2014 Canadian Open. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz did not participate due to a wrist injury, and the tournament guaranteed a first-time Masters champion after Taylor Fritz lost in the quarterfinals—a promise fulfilled by Fils's triumph.