Carlos Alcaraz clinched the ATP Cincinnati Open men's singles title on Monday in a swift 22-minute finish after top-ranked Jannik Sinner retired with illness. Meeting for their fourth final this yearand first since WimbledonAlcaraz stormed to a 5-0 lead in the opening set, capitalizing on nine unforced errors from Sinner.
Sinner, who had complained of feeling unwell since the previous day, paused play with an icepack on his head and made the tough call to retire, saying, "I thought I would recover overnight, but it wasn't the case. I wanted to give the fans a match, but today just wasn't my day." This marks the third time a Cincinnati men's final has ended in retirement, the first being Novak Djokovic's shoulder injury in 2011.
For Alcaraz, the victory is sweet redemption. "I lost the final here in 2023, so lifting this trophy means a lot," he said after the match. His powerful forehands and aggressive court coverage underscored why he's one of the sport's rising stars, now gearing up for the US Open with renewed confidence.
Data point: Alcaraz's serve won 78% of points behind his first delivery, while Sinner struggled to break Alcaraz's rhythm, managing just two break points. The Spanish sensation's win-loss record in 2024 finals now stands at 5-1, a stat that cements his status as a serious contender on hard courts.
With this momentum, global tennis fans will be watching closely as Alcaraz heads to New York, and Sinner focuses on recovery. Both players embody the new wave of young champions reshaping tennis and inspiring digital nomads and sports enthusiasts worldwide.
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Alcaraz wins ATP Cincinnati Open after Sinner retires due to illness
cgtn.com
