Cincinnati, August 19 (H.S.) : World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz claimed his maiden Cincinnati Open crown on Monday after a dramatic and abrupt end to the final. The match lasted barely 20 minutes, as defending champion and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was forced to retire midway through the opening set due to illness.
The 24-year-old Italian, who celebrated his birthday just two days earlier, trailed 0-5 in the first set when he informed the chair umpire that he couldn’t continue. Sinner had appeared off-colour right from the start, failing to win a single point on his serve. After dropping the fifth game on a double fault, he grabbed an ice pack, called the trainer, and moments later shook hands with Alcaraz, ending the contest.
Sinner was chasing back-to-back Cincinnati titles to join the legendary Roger Federer (2014–15), while riding a stunning 26-match hard-court winning streak. But his body gave way. “I’m really sorry to let you all down,” Sinner told fans afterwards. “I wasn’t feeling well since yesterday, and things only worsened overnight. I tried to at least start the match, but there was no way I could push further.”
His withdrawal now casts doubt over his participation in the US Open 2025 mixed doubles — where he was slated to team up with Czech player Katerina Siniakova on Tuesday.
Alcaraz, just 22, showed empathy after lifting his 22nd career trophy. “I’m sure you’ll come back even stronger from this — that’s what true champions do,” he said about Sinner.
The Spaniard has now triumphed in four finals against Sinner this season. They have taken turns scripting an epic rivalry: Sinner defeated Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, while the Spaniard roared back at Roland-Garros, saving three match points to win. He also beat Sinner in straight sets at the Italian Open, Sinner’s return from a doping suspension.
With this victory, Alcaraz becomes only the third Spaniard after Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal to lift the Cincinnati trophy. His next challenge comes soon — he will partner Britain’s Emma Raducanu in the US Open mixed doubles against top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper.
—————
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
