CINCINNATI – Carlos Alcaraz secured a commanding Cincinnati Open title after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner was forced to retire early in the championship match, citing illness and fatigue. The dramatic conclusion came just 23 minutes into play, with Alcaraz leading 5–0 in the opening set when Sinner, visibly unwell, ended the contest prematurely.
The outcome marked a bittersweet moment for Alcaraz, who added a prestigious ATP Masters 1000 trophy to his tally—his eighth at this elite level and his first triumph in Cincinnati. Despite the abrupt finish, the Spaniard maintained composure and respect, consoling Sinner at the net before offering words of encouragement during his acceptance speech.
Sinner, who had entered the final on a 26-match hard-court winning streak, revealed he had been battling illness since the previous day and struggled to perform under the tournament’s extreme heat and humidity. He publicly apologised to fans, expressing regret for the unexpected turnaround and the disappointment of not being able to complete the match.
This victory builds on Alcaraz’s remarkable season, serving as his third Masters 1000 title following successes in Monte Carlo and Rome. His victory also nudges him ahead of Sinner in the ATP Live Rankings ahead of the start of the US Open. Sinner had been aiming to become the first man since Roger Federer to defend his Cincinnati title, but retirement disrupted that pursuit and raises questions about his readiness for the upcoming New York Grand Slam.
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