Carlos Alcaraz Wins Cincinnati Masters As Jannik Sinner Retires Over Injury Scare

 

Carlos Alcaraz is the champion of the Cincinnati Masters after Jannik Sinner retired from the final owing to an injury suspected to be a hip and thigh injury. 

Jannik was unsteady, playing through the opening set, and had been broken three times as Alcaraz led by 5-0 before he withdrew from playing anything. The decision was emotional for the Italian player, but it was necessary for him to do so based on the paramedics' advice. 

"I'm super sorry to disappoint you. From yesterday, I didn't feel great," said Jannik, informing the crowd of his withdrawal. "I tried to come out and make it a small match, but I couldn't handle more. I'm very sorry for all of you."

Alcaraz was making his debut final appearance and won the Cincinnati Masters for the first time. Last season, he was eliminated in the earlier stages by Gael Monfils. The farthest he had reached at the tournament was the quarterfinals, but his form this season was different. 

He defeated German veteran Alexander Zverev in a thrilling two-set match by 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-finals. Alcaraz dictated the round such that Zverev was perplexed, aimlessly hitting the ball around. Meanwhile, the German was impressive in the quarterfinals, when he defeated Ben Shelton in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 to reach the semi-final. 

The Cincinnati Masters final would have been Jannik's third appearance in the final against Alcaraz this season - their first was at Roland Garros and second at Wimbledon, seventh tour-level final in a row, extended his title spree this season to six and his career tally to 22nd.