Jannik Sinner on Friday withdrew from the US Open with his continuing knee problems, with the world No. 1 aiming to be back on court for the ATP’s autumn Asian swing.

The Italian has not played since winning Wimbledon, making pullouts from the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters event.

The Open received some possible good news when injured Carlos Alcaraz posted on social media that he would be in New York but provided few details if he was speaking of singles or the exhibition celebrity mixed doubles playoff set for next week.

The Spaniard hurt his wrist in mid-April and has not played since,all the while dropping hints of a comeback.

“Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year,” Sinner said in a statement. .

“We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue,” Sinner added.

“I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart.”

Also missing from the field at the last Grand Slam of the season will be chronically injured Brit Jack Draper, plagued by a long-term arm injury.

He has managed 16 matches over the past year, most recently losing at the ongoing Cincinnati Masters after going out in the first round the week before in Montreal..

Main photo:-Wimbledon 2026 Jannik Sinner with Mens Singles Trophy by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

Fiavio Cobolli called for a handful of sweets on court to fuel his 2-6,6-3, 6-4 fightback win over Tommy Paul which put the Italian into the semi-finals on Thursday of the Cincinnati Masters.

The M&M candies brought to the court were just the trick for Cobolli, the Roland Garros finalist. The hack seemed to mimic the shot of espresso often taken on the player bench at key moments by Italian compatriot Luciano Darderi.

“A sweet with chocolate makes me happy,” Cobolli said. “I’ve tried it in doubles so why not singles.”

Cobolli eliminated one of four US players in the quarter-final field with his comeback victory. He overcame Paul after the American fought through five deuces and saved four break points late in the deciding set.

Paul came to the match having defeated top seed Alexander Zverev, saving a match point along the way.

“It was a difficult day,” Cobolli said. “I’m proud of my effort, my game and my mental strength. It is all good practice for the US Open.

“My shape is 100 percent. I may play gold tomorrow on a day off to relax but I will be ready to fight again.”

Main photo:- Flavio Cobolli celebrates – ATPTour.com

Alexander Zverev wanted a match point and lost a late lead as the top seed crashed out of the Cincinnati Masters on Wednesday 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4 to American Tommy Paul in the fourth round.

Roland Garros winner had a win in hand leading 6-5 in the second-set tiebreaker but was unable to convert.

He broke for a 4-2 lead in the third set only to lose serve twice more as the newly married Paul served into the quarter-finals to wrap up a contest interrupted for 90 minutes by rain and required two more short pauses to wipe down wet lines on the court.

“I’m not sure how I did it,” Paul said. “I put some returns in, he gave me some looks at second serves and he threw in a few doubles (faults). That always helps a ton.

“I went after the ball a bit more, I was having fun out there. I hope I can keep building on this and peak at the US Open.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev-paul-cincinnati-2026-wednesday

Paul lines up against the man Zverev beat in the French Open final two months ago, Flavio Cobolli.

The Italian needed two and a half hours to see off keen Spanish teen Rafael Jodar 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3, marking third win for Cobolli in that series of three-setters.

Cobolli will play his second Masters quarter-final of 2026 after Madrid in the spring.

“At the end of the second set and start of the third I told myself to believe, try on every point,” Cobolli said. “I knew I had a chance.

“Rafa has had an unbelievable season but maybe he was a bit tired. At the end I deserved to win as I was fresher than him.  

“I pushed to my limit to get through. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m really strong.”

There was a surprise win for Thiago Tirante, who upset Novak Djokovic in the second round. The Argentine advanced over Jakub Mensik 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 into his first Masters quarter-final.

Australian Alex de Minaur was no match for Frenchman Arthur Fils, who cruised to a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the fifth seed.

Main photo:- Tommy Paul beating top seed Alexander Zverev in Cincy – by Cincinnati Open