In doing so, Carlos Alcaraz won his third Masters 1000 title of this, his breakout season. Jannik Sinner, who had to retire from the Cincinnati Open final due to illness. The final quickly changed when Sinner, the reigning champion, was put to the test. He indicated as much when he couldn’t go on at 5-0, first set. This victory snapped Sinner’s own phenomenal recent 26-match hardcourt winning streak. It ignited fears for his fitness just days before he begins defence of his US Open title.
Alcaraz already has wins in Monte Carlo and Rome under his belt this season on the ATP tour. The ever-smiling 20-year-old Spaniard has put on a dazzling show. At Roland Garros, he demonstrated unparalleled grit, rallying from two sets down and saving three championship points to take home the title. Alcaraz just defeated Sinner again, moving his head-to-head with him to 9-5. He’s all but assured his hold on hardcourts with a 6-2 lead.
Sinner’s Withdrawal Sparks Concerns
When Jannik Sinner withdrew, there were plenty of eyebrows raised about just how ready he truly is for the impending US Open. The Italian player never looked comfortable in the opening stages and couldn’t cope with the extreme nature conditions. Just before stepping down, he confessed that he hadn’t been in great health going into the final.
“Yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought that I would improve during the night, but it came up worse.” – Jannik Sinner
Sinner had hoped to be the first man since Roger Federer in 2015 to win consecutive Cincinnati titles. His shocking departure from the tournament severely dented his potential to capture a fourth title. Today, attention is shifting to whether he will be healthy enough to successfully defend his title at Flushing Meadows.
Alcaraz Reflects on His Victory
Alcaraz had cause to celebrate, he understood all too well how Sinner felt. Even as the young star basked in her hard-earned victory, she admitted it was a hollow way to win.
“This is not the way that I want to win trophies, I just have to say sorry, I can understand how you must feel now.” – Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz’s body of work over the past year is further proof of his increasing dominance as one of tennis’ new pillars. With this latest victory, he is becoming seen as a real contender as he moves into the US Open.
