Carlos Alcaraz Wins in Cincinnati After Jannik Sinner’s Retirement
Cincinnati – Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open title this Monday, after Jannik Sinner, number one in the world, was forced to withdraw due to illness during the first set, after only 22 minutes of play. This encounter, which represented the fourth final between both players this year and the first since Wimbledon, saw Sinner concede quickly, going 5-0 down in the first set, with a total of nine unforced errors. Sinner, visibly affected, even received medical assistance and was seen with an ice pack on his head during a break, before announcing his retirement.Alcaraz, for his part, expressed his wish for a speedy recovery for Sinner and expressed his joy at obtaining the trophy, recalling his defeat in the 2023 final. This is the third retirement in the men’s final of the Cincinnati Open, and the first since 2011, when Novak Djokovic retired due to a shoulder injury.I didn’t feel well since yesterday. I tried to go out for the fans, trying to play a match, but it couldn’t be today
Jannik Sinner
Before the match, Sinner, who turned 24 on Saturday, had a streak of 12 consecutive victories and 26 straight matches won on hard courts. He was looking to become the first player to win consecutive titles at the Cincinnati Open since Roger Federer in 2014 and 2015. Alcaraz, currently number 2 in the world, now leads his head-to-head record with Sinner by 9-5. This year, Sinner won in four sets at Wimbledon, while Alcaraz prevailed in an exciting five-set match at the French Open and in straight sets at the Rome Masters in May. Alcaraz noticed that Sinner didn’t feel well after the third game. “I know him. I’ve been battling him, having great matches, great battles. I noticed he was missing more often. It’s quite strange for him,” commented Alcaraz. This was only the third meeting between the two best male players in the Cincinnati Open final. The previous ones were between Djokovic and Alcaraz in 2022 and Federer against Djokovic in 2012. In the women’s division, Iga Swiatek, world number three, won the title by defeating Jasmine Paolini, number 7, with a score of 7-5, 6-4. Swiatek has won all six matches against the Italian, losing only one set in those matches. The Cincinnati Open serves as preparation for the US Open, which will begin on Sunday in New York. The champions of the Cincinnati Open, in both the men’s and women’s divisions, have won the last Grand Slam tournament of the year in the last two years.I wanted to wish Jannik a speedy recovery and hopefully he will be fine in a few days. I am very, very happy to lift the trophy. I lost the final here in 2023. I wanted this trophy a lot.
Carlos Alcaraz
