Alcaraz wins Cincinnati title after Sinner illness

Carlos Alcaraz takes the Cincinnati Open title after Jannik Sinner withdraws due to illness early in the final.

Alcaraz wins Cincinnati Open after Sinner retires with illness

Carlos Alcaraz claimed the Cincinnati Open title after Jannik Sinner retired with illness 23 minutes into the final. Alcaraz jumped to a 5-0 lead before play ended, leaving him with the trophy and a strong momentum boost heading to the US Open.

The win marks Alcaraz’s sixth ATP title of the year and 22nd overall, moving him closer to the top of the rankings. Sinner, meanwhile, will focus on recovery and reassess his US Open schedule, with mixed doubles participation likely in doubt. In the same event, Iga Swiatek defeated Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 to win the Cincinnati women's title, extending her strong season and her unbeaten run against Paolini to six matches.

The finish was undeniably anticlimactic, but it highlights how health can shape outcomes at the sport’s highest level. Alcaraz gains significant momentum, while Sinner’s illness opens questions about his readiness for a late-season push. The rivalry between the two remains, but this ending underlines that even the best players rely on staying healthy to convert potential into a title.

The episode also reframes Cincinnati as a crucial tune‑up for the US Open rather than a closing act. Health, not just skill, will help decide who carries this season’s narrative into autumn. For fans, the real story is how quickly Sinner can rebound and whether Alcaraz can sustain this form when the pressure peaks.

Highlights

As the season moves to the US Open, a healthy match between the two may still define the year.