Carlos Alcaraz secured the ATP Cincinnati Open men's singles title in a bittersweet finale on Monday after top-ranked Jannik Sinner retired due to illness just 22 minutes into the match. The highly anticipated clash between the two rising stars ended abruptly, with Sinner trailing 0-5 in the first set amid visible discomfort.
The pair, meeting for their fourth final showdown this year, had last faced off at Wimbledon. Sinner struggled early, committing nine unforced errors before retiring during a medical timeout. "I didn't feel great from yesterday," Sinner said post-match. "I tried to play for the fans, but today wasn't my day."
Alcaraz, who lost the 2023 Cincinnati final, expressed mixed emotions: "I wanted this trophy badly, but I wish Jannik a speedy recovery." The retirement marked the third such conclusion to the men's final in the tournament's history, echoing Novak Djokovic's 2011 withdrawal.
