Cincinnati Masters
Sinner quits Cincy final after five games with illness
Carlos Alcaraz lifted the Cincinnati Masters trophy for the first time on Monday when Jannik Sinner was unable to go on after coming onto the court ill and unfit to perform
The Spaniard won the abbreviated 22-minute final 5-0, with world No. 1 Sinner clearly well under the weather.
The Italian who won the Midwest title in 2024 lost the opening seven points of the match as called for the doctor after the fifth game of a fina set in 30 Celsius heat.
He made profuse apologies at a muted trophy ceremony and now faces a quick recovery with the US Open starting on Sunday..
“I’m super-super sorry to disappoint you,” Sinner said at the trophy ceremony to fans. I was not feeling great yesterday but I thought it would go away overnight.
“I tried to make it at least a small match but I could not handle more.”
“Some of you (fans) had to (miss) work or do other things today, so I’m really sorry. I’m sorry to disappoint
“Congrats to Carlos, I know this is not how you wanted to win. You are having an amazing season.
“Sometimes it’s like this. This has been one of the hottest tournaments we have played.”
Alcaraz is the third Spaniard to win the pre-US Open title here after Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal.
Alcaraz has now faced ill opponents in his last two matches, including the semi-final against Alexander Zvrev, who managed to play through to a loss.
Alcaraz won his 22nd career title and earned a 17th victory in a row at the Masters 1000 level.
“This is not the way I want to win trophies,” Alcaraz said. I understand how Jannik is feeling right now.”
He called the Italian “a true champion, I know you will come back better and stronger than ever.”
The illness make it very unlikely that Sinner will bother to play the US Open mixed doubles event lasting for two days and starting on Tuesday in New York.
He was paired with Czech women’s doubles champion Katerina Siniakova.
Main photo:-Carlos Alcaraz on his way to hollow victory in Cincy – by ATPTour.com
Carlos Alcaraz could miss the entire grass season if a worst-case scenario on his wrist injury comes into play.
The Spaniard has already withdrawn from title defences on clay at Rome and Roland Garros after injuring the wrist this month in Barcelona.
But latest reports from Spain indicate that the world No. 2 could possibly not be back until the start of the US Open run-up next August, possibly at the Cincinnati Masters.
Rome’s La Gazzetta dello Sport broke the bad news on the fitness state of Alcaraz, winner of the last two French Open editions. The paper reported there was no chance for the player to compete either at Queen’s club, London, or Wimbledon, which begins in late June.
Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz reached Wimbledon final 2025 – by Roger Parker ISF Ltd
World No. 2 Jannik Sinner became the youngest man to complete the full set of hard-court victories by beating Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (8) 7-6 (7) in the searing heat of Indian Wells.
The 24 year old Italian, didn’t face a break point during the final nor did he drop a set on his way to claiming his first title of the year and his 25th overall.
Sinner has won both hard court Grand Slams, with victories at the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025 and at the US Open in 2024.
In addition he has lifted all six Masters 1000 series hard court titles – adding the Indian Wells title to victories in Miami, Toronto, Cincinnati, Shanghai and Paris plus the season-ending ATP Finals.
Only Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have achieved the same feat.
Main photo:- Jannik Sinner lifts Indian Wells Trophy – by ATPTour.com
Felix Auger-Aliassime bounced back after a slow start, with the Canadian raiding his game along with his expectations on Wednesday at the ATP Dubai event.
The top seed survived the loss of his opening serve to prevail 6-4, 6-4 over France’s Giovanni Mpetschi Perricard.
Victory marked the 10th quarter-final or higher at 11 tournament for FAA dating to Cincinnati last August.
The seed’s game is on the mend after a hiccup in the form of an Australian Open first-round loss, with FAA winning the Montpellier title and reaching this month’s Rotterdam final against Alex de Minaur.
Auger-Aliassime said that he tries to set an example to his team by way of keeping his tennis standards high.
“I’m responsible, I’m the one stepping onto the court – I’m the (support) team leader.
“I need to uphold the standards I want for my career.”
The winner who broke three times, said the ball reacted differently as he played for the first time in the afternoon.
“I couldn’t find my serve in the first few games, I needed to get some rhythm. he also made it difficult for me. I’m glad I was able to find a way back into the set.
The Canadian No. 1 improved his record against French opponents to 15-1 since the start of 2025.
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