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